history

While working as a costumer for films, I became increasingly frustrated at the fact that there is no recycling available on set. I was amazed that countless recyclable materials were all being thrown into the trash. I grew up caring for the environment and my dissatisfaction with this issue began to weigh more and more on my mind. I am certainly not alone in this opinion. Many fellow cast and crew

members recycle in their personal lives, but at work, we are forced to unnecessarily contribute to the landfills.

Occasionally makeshift bins are set around to encourage the recycling of traditional cans and bottles. However, there are flaws with these attempts. Firstly, recyclable material still gets thrown into the trash (there are water bottles and paper sitting right on top of the "trash only" can). Secondly, it is usually aimed just at cans, bottles and sometimes paper (which does not get the biggest offender: cardboard). And unfortunately the recyclables often just get thrown out at the end of the day if they are not taken home. Because these personal efforts always come secondary to our departmental duties they are not as effective as desired. I realized that there needs to be someone on set whose duties are solely to manage recycling and an organization specifically created to provide this essential missing piece.

The Film and Entertainment Recycling Initiative has been formed to provide two things. First, an on-set recycler who will manage taking care of all recyclable materials at the daily filming locations of a production. And secondly, an organization dedicated to bridging the research, environmental solutions and organizations that currently exist with the actual productions to ensure that a direct application of environmentally responsible practices is taking place.

Looking towards the future, FaERI's goal is to have the on-set recycler also connect with local organizations, charities and schools to donate excess building materials, food, furniture, clothing and other items that can be reused. FaERI hopes to incorporate a program to compost certain foods from catering and meals. And lastly, to prevent the need for recycling by taking preventative measures in the choice of products we use in the first place.

However, at the moment, FaERI is in its beginning stages of development and right now contributions, membership and involvement from individuals, organizations and companies are needed more than anything to get this program off the ground!

Initially, it will be focusing on productions in New England and hopefully will spread to other IA districts as quickly as manpower and funding permits. Currently, FaERI is in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) non-profit status, and thus any donations made or memberships purchased in 2008 would be tax-deductible.

One of FaERI's first goals is to raise enough funds to purchase uniform recycling bins so that cast and crew can quickly identify that they are able to recycle on the production they are working on. They will begin to recognize these uniform bins and come to expect (and demand) them on more and more productions.

Our industry, along with the world, is moving in more environmentally sustainable directions.
FaERI can lead your production there.