LOCAL SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION RESOURCES
Looking to make your Nashville film or photography production more sustainable?
The Tennessee Entertainment Commission encourages productions filming in Tennessee to reduce their environmental impact, including reducing single-use plastics, donating excess food and set materials, using LED lighting, limiting vehicle idling and going paperless.
Below are local and national resources that can help productions reduce waste while filming in Nashville.
TENNESSEE GREEN PRODUCTION RESOURCES
The Tennessee Entertainment Commission provides sustainability recommendations specifically for productions filming in the state.
Recommendations include:
Eliminating single-use plastic water bottles
Using refillable water stations
Donating untouched craft service + catering leftovers
Using LED lighting
Reducing vehicle idling
Going paperless
Using FSC-certified lumber
Donating usable set construction materials
Hiring an Eco Supervisor or sustainability consultant
TENNESSEE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION — PRODUCTION RESOURCES
COMPOSTING IN NASHVILLE
Food waste from catering and craft services can add up quickly.
Compost Nashville offers commercial and event composting services in the Nashville area, including collection of food scraps and compostable materials.
The Compost Company also provides commercial compost collection and waste-diversion services for Nashville businesses and events.
Metro Nashville also maintains information about local composting and food-waste diversion programs.
METRO NASHVILLE COMPOSTING RESOURCES
RECYCLING + WASTE
The Nashville Department of Waste Services provides information on recycling, composting and waste reduction throughout Davidson County.
Before a shoot, determine what materials your production is likely to generate and arrange appropriate collection rather than relying on a single trash stream at wrap.
NASHVILLE WASTE + RECYCLING RESOURCES
DONATING EXCESS FOOD
Productions frequently end the day with unused catering, craft service or packaged food.
Consider identifying a donation option before the shoot so usable food doesn't automatically end up in the trash at wrap.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is a major regional hunger-relief organization with a network of food distribution partners throughout Middle Tennessee. Productions should contact the organization or an appropriate partner in advance to determine what food can be accepted and how donation should be coordinated.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
SETS + BUILDING MATERIALS
If your production is constructing scenery or purchasing materials that will still be usable after wrap, plan for reuse or donation before disposal.
The Tennessee Entertainment Commission specifically recommends donating usable wood and set-building materials to local Habitat for Humanity donation centers rather than sending them to landfill.
Consider donating or reusing:
Lumber
Furniture
Props
Hardware
Fixtures
Appliances
Building materials
Set decoration
WATER + SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
One of the easiest changes a production can make is eliminating individual plastic water bottles.
Consider using:
Bulk water dispensers
Refillable water coolers
Reusable crew bottles
Compostable or reusable serviceware
Clearly marked recycling + compost bins
TEC specifically recommends bottled-water service/refill systems instead of individual plastic bottles.
REDUCING PRODUCTION TRANSPORTATION
Transportation can be another significant source of waste and emissions.
When practical:
Hire local Nashville crew
Source equipment locally
Consolidate production vehicles
Reduce unnecessary vehicle idling
Use shared crew transportation
Group location scouts + tech scouts efficiently
Source catering, equipment and supplies close to the shoot
GREEN PRODUCTION GUIDE
The Green Production Guide is an industry-specific sustainability resource developed for film and television production.
It includes tools and best practices covering areas such as:
Carbon emissions
Fuel + transportation
Energy
Waste
Materials
Food
Water
Sustainable production planning
QUICK SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION CHECKLIST
Before your Nashville shoot:
Set up water refill stations
Eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics
Arrange recycling
Arrange composting
Create a plan for excess catering + craft service
Source local crew + vendors when possible
Use LED lighting when appropriate
Minimize vehicle idling
Consolidate transportation
Go paperless where practical
Donate usable sets, props + materials
Clearly label waste, recycling + compost stations
Assign someone on the production to oversee the plan
Even a small commercial or photography production can reduce its footprint significantly with a little planning before shoot day.
LOCAL + INDUSTRY RESOURCES
TENNESSEE ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION — GREEN PRODUCTION RESOURCES
METRO NASHVILLE WASTE SERVICES
METRO NASHVILLE COMPOSTING RESOURCES
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Services, accepted materials and donation requirements can change. Contact individual organizations before your production to confirm availability and arrange collection or drop-off.