Hot Docs’ Green Initiatives
Hot Docs has made serious commitments to reduce the environmental impact of our Festival.
We recognize that hosting a large event with thousands of attendees and international guests will always have environmental implications, but through the following initiatives we’re attempting to reduce the scope and scale of the Festival’s impact. These steps are just the beginning, and we welcome feedback and ideas on other projects or changes that we can make. Please forward your comments or suggestions to info@hotdocs.ca.
Renewable Energy Consumption: The 2010 Festival (including all screening, industry and special event venues) will be powered by Bullfrog Power. This means that Hot Docs is using clean, renewable electricity that comes exclusively from wind and hydro facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada instead of from polluting sources like coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear.
Going Carbon Neutral: Hot Docs has begun to reduce its carbon footprint. This year, Hot Docs has purchased approximately 185 tonnes of CO2 offsets, which represents enough offsets to match the emissions for return airfare for all of our attending international guest filmmakers. These offsets are provided by Climate Care, a UK-based organization that funds projects all over the world, particularly in developing countries, which produce verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and have associated social or environmental benefits for local communities.
Hot Docs has also partnered with Curbside Cycle, to provide discounted bicycle rentals to all attendees.
Greener Special Events and Venues: Hot Docs’ special events will use china, glass and/or biodegradable cups instead of disposable materials. And, whenever possible, catering partners will compost organic waste, recycle packaging materials, and use local and seasonal food.
Hot Docs will ensure that recycling bins are available at all screening and industry venues and bottled water will not be provided or distributed directly by the Festival to any guests or delegates.
More Sustainable Merchandise: This year, all of Hot Docs’ conference bags are “enviro bags” locally made by Axis Gear out of recycled materials, as well as being recyclable. Our volunteer and public T-shirts are organic and fair trade, and sourced through the independent local supplier Hardboiled Inc.. Our water bottles are stainless steel and sourced through the local, independent green supplier Planet Forward. As well, gift bags at the IMPACT Gala are reusable and filled with eco- conscious items.
Reducing Paper and Printed Material at the Festival: All signage at Hot Docs is printed on recycled materials and will be donated to TDSB’s Arts Junction after the Festival. Wherever possible, printed signage has been replaced by digital signage. In recent years, Hot Docs also eliminated the separate printing of audience ballots, our Doc Shop catalogue, and also reduced the number of promotional mailings and paper materials provided to delegates. This year, our Program Guide is printed on mixed sources paper and is Rainforest Alliance Certified.
Greening the Office: Hot Docs’ year-round offices utilize energy-efficient lighting. Our printers and photocopier use recycled paper, and staff are encouraged to print only when needed and also to print double-sided. Hot Docs provides recycling programs for paper and non-paper producers and is implementing a bio-waste composting program. The office also only uses non-toxic cleaning products.
Hot Docs’ official Green Initiatives Partner:
Green Partners:
