Set Design                                         Construction

Grips                                                   Paint

Set Dressing/Props                         Greens

Electrics                                             Special Effects

Transportation 

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Set Design

·          The designer needs to factor the environment into the design of the set, and should work with the art director, construction coordinator and foreman, scenic charge, and set decorator to conserve resources, and to choose materials that are safe for both the workers and the environment.

·          Cooperation and good communication between the designer and the director is crucial in the planning stages of the build to avoid expensive, wasteful design changes. Also, with careful planning, the design and shoot schedule can be coordinated to allow for reuse of things like set walls, platforming, and lighting grids, saving both money and resources.

Construction

·         Lauan is manufactured with endangered rainforest hardwood, and should be avoided. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) has gathered a list of directors who have pledged to help reduce the use of the tropical plywood Lauan, in favor of available, environmentally responsible and cost-effective lauan alternatives.

·          Build all set walls and pieces with resource conservation, disassembly and recoverability in mind. Whenever possible, use screws that can be removed instead of staples, and avoid applying adhesive to materials that will make separating them at strike difficult or impossible.

·          Check the designated wood scrap/offcut area first before using new material.

·          Formaldehyde, present in most construction material, has been identified by OSHA as carcinogenic. Sawdust should always be kept to a minimum with proper dust collection systems.

·          Cutting and routing composite materials can release harmful vapors from heating adhesives and resins, so ventilation in the carpentry area is essential.

·          Avoid fossil-fuel-based plastics, foam, and other polluting materials, substituting wood, canvas, paper, and cardboard and other biodegradable materials whenever possible.

·          Use low VOC, solvent-free construction adhesive.

·          Rechargeable batteries in power tools should be fully drained before recharging to extend their life.

Grips

·          Set up an area where offcut lauan/homosote/plywood/plexiglass and other sheet goods, and 1x, 2x, etc., can be stored and used for smaller jobs, rather than cutting from full sheets and lengths.

·          Designate waste cans specifically for small wood scraps and sawdust only, so that they are kept separate from other trash, and can easily be recovered by your recycler.

·          Sawdust, silica dust, and many other dusts from sanding and liquid evaporation become airborne when they are dry swept, causing a significant respiratory health risk to the crew. Wet mop or HEPA vacuum dust whenever
time allows, and use a spray bottle with water or solvent-free sweeping compound when sweeping.

Paint

·          Many materials scenics use contain skin, eye, and lung irritants, and can be carcinogenic and toxic to the environment. The scenic charge needs to educate the industrial/scenic crew on proper handling and disposal of materials, and make it a top priority throughout the build.

·          Look for Green Seal certified paints that emit zero or low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants, and ozone-depleting compounds. They cannot contain any proven carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins (except titanium dioxide). The packaging must also contain a minimum of 20% recovered material.

·          The ACMI AP (Approved Product) Seal is another important certification to lookfor on artist materials. While primarilyconcerned with identifying materials thatdo not pose significant health risks,products with this stamp are often lesspolluting to the environment.

·          Paint is one product that is not necessarily better to buy in bulk sizes.

·          Gallon cans are made of recyclable steel, which can be melted down almost indefinitely, with minimal loss in the quality of the raw material. Five gallon buckets

·          are made out of fossil fuel based #2 HDPE plastic, which can only be “down cycled” once into a much lower grade product, such as plastic lumber, that must then be land filled at the end of its life.

·          Steel paint cans can still be recycled with small amounts of dried latex paint residue in them, so after getting as much paint as possible out of the can (regular kitchen spatulas work great) leave the lid off to air dry, and then recycle the can and lid. Never rinse excess paint down the drain.

·          Keep a large sheet of cardboard in the scenic area to get excess latex paint off of rollers and brushes before washing. Each layer can dry out, so the sheet can be used repeatedly.

·          Brushes and roller covers that are going to be used again within a short time can be stored in biodegradable zip lock bags, rather than repeatedly rinsing excess paint down the drain.

·          Leftover paints of similar chemistry can be consolidated by color/sheen, so that they can easily be tinted and reused for a different project, or used as a primer or base coat. Make sure that these mixtures are clearly labeled, and never mix solvent based oil paint with water based paint.

·          Avoid all oil-based paints that include toxic paint thinners, like mineral spirits, turpentine, acetone, xylene, and denatured alcohol. Make sure you wear NIOSHapproved respirators with the proper cartridges when using solvents, and remember that the warnings regarding proper ventilation also applies to the workers around you.

·          Establish a solvent mixing area separate from the water based mixing tables, where the fumes can be properly ventilated, and keep all containers closed when not in use.

·          If you use oil paints, never wash brushes in the sink without soaking them in paint thinner first. Jars used for cleaning brushes must be tall enough to soak brushes in and still close tightly. The paint sediments will settle to the bottom overnight, so you can reuse the turpentine, mineral spirits, etc. many times over. Wash hands with baby oil instead of solvents.

·          Even water-based latex paints can contain harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, ammonia, hazardous pigments, and solvents like ethylene glycol (antifreeze). These are all toxic when absorbed through the skin, or if inhaled for long periods of time, so use with caution.

·          Oil-based paint, brushes, and rags used with solvents are considered hazardous materials, and cannot be disposed of in regular trash.

·          Brushes, even inexpensive chip brushes, are not meant to be disposable. Take care off them.

·          Use canvas drop cloths without the plastic lining.

·          Avoid spray paints and adhesives. If they must be used, only use them while wearing a respirator in a well ventilated area, like outdoors or in a spray booth.

·          Repeated exposure to “respirable” silica dust from sanding joint compound and paint can cause many respiratory health problems, including lung cancer and silicosis. Wet sand whenever possible, avoid making the dust airborne with fans, and make sure to wear a mask or respirator with the proper particulate filter efficiency level (nuisance dust masks are not sufficient protection.)

·          Joint compound contains polyvinyl acetate, preservatives like formaldehyde, and solvents. When drying time allows for a slower setting joint compound, use Murco 100, which is solvent and preservative free, and contains only natural binders.

·          Use water based glues, like Elmer's or Sobo whenever possible, and avoid highly toxic two part epoxies, spray adhesives, rubber cement, etc.

·          Try powdered biodegradable glue or 100% wheat paste (without vinyl additives and preservatives).

·          Use solvent-free butchers wax.

·          Use low VOC caulk.

·          Polyurethane two-component resins, expandable foams and fiberglass resins are extremely toxic, and should only be used after specific precautions have been taken. Contact United Scenic Artists Local 829, Industrial Hygienist Monona Rossol 212-777-0062 or at actsnyc@cs.com  regarding the safe use of these materials.

·          Use biodegradable ziplock bags for brush/roller storage, biodegradable quart cups instead of plastic and biodegradable cellophane instead of acetate for tracing/elevation covering.

·          Buy reclaimed rags, and rinse and reuse them as much as possible before discarding.

Set Dressing/Props

·          Rent instead of buying whenever possible.

·          Buyers for set deck/props should choose fuel efficient vehicles, and make every effort to shop locally.

·          Purchase used cardboard boxes, or choose a supplier that uses recycled cardboard with a high percentage of post-consumer content.

·          Replace commonly used cleaners, like ammonia, with less toxic alternatives (see Safer Cleaning Products on page 15.)

Greens

Electrics

·          The electrics crews are often left with the task of turning off unused equipment. Make sure that the crew is told at the beginning of the production that while the electrics crew is there to help safely get power to their work area, it is the responsibility of every crew member to turn off their work lights, compressors, fans, etc. when they are finished with them.

Special Effects

·          Many hazardous chemicals are used in the special effect department, and it is crucial that this area be located in a section of the shop with adequate ventilation and exhaust capabilities.

·          The welding area should be kept 35 feet from any combustibles, including sawdust and flammable paint. Fire extinguishing equipment must be available and maintained.

·          Instead of just reimbursing for parking or mileage, consider financial incentives to reward the crewmembers who use public transportation.

·          For getting around the set, opt for alternate forms of transportation whenever possible. Encourage the crew to ride bike, scooters, etc. around the set instead of gators or cars.

·          To conserve fuel, the scenic charge, construction foreman, and key grip should make every effort to coordinate their supply runs and deliveries to locations.

·          Unload any unnecessary weight during deliveries, to increase fuel efficiency.

·          Do not keep production vehicles running when not in use. Diesel emissions contribute to asthma, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer, and Philadelphia has anti-idling laws aimed at reducing toxic air pollution and conserving fuel.

·          Optimize fuel efficiency by accelerating slowly and smoothly, and maintaining the speed limit.