Guided by Sustainability Supervisor David A. Kerr, the team worked toward Disney’s NetZero goal. Their focus was on building local partnerships and integrating measures that were new to the regional industry. This work earned Alien:Earth the EMA Gold Seal Award from the Environmental Media Association, a recognition for productions that demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable practices.
Diverting Massive Amounts of Waste
One of the production’s biggest victories was waste diversion. Between April and July 2024, the production diverted over 104,000 kg (104.85 metric tons) of set and construction debris from the landfill.
Key strategies included:
- Styrofoam Solution: A major challenge was diverting styrofoam. The team connected with a vendor named “Recycle Day,” which was large enough to handle the set strike debris and incinerate all styrofoam, even glued and painted sections. This was recognized as a “huge win” and the first time such a feat had been accomplished in a Thai film production.
- Repurposed Sets: Many sets utilized repurposed materials, a style referred to as “retro-futurism,” which saved money and made construction more sustainable. Dismantled sets, props, decorations, and wardrobe are currently being stored in the production warehouse in anticipation of a potential Season Two, further reducing the need for new materials.
- Creative Recycling: The sustainability department, through a circular process involving the local non-profit Buddhist temple Wat Chak Daeng, created 100 t-shirts from recycled plastic PET bottles, repurposing approximately 800 plastic water bottles and saving water and energy.
Powering Production with Green Technology
The production successfully integrated new technologies and practices to reduce its reliance on diesel fuel and conventional power sources:
- LED Lighting: Approximately 80% of set lighting used energy-efficient LED lights, which helped to reduce electricity use, generator loads, and fuel consumption compared to traditional halide lights.
- Portable Power: Small portable battery units, such as the EcoFlow Delta Pro and Bluei, were successfully sourced and used by departments like Sound, DIT, and the Drone Team to replace gas generators on location and in the warehouse.
- EV Exposure: A Disney Grant provided a six-month rental of an EV van to normalize electric vehicle technology and expose drivers to the charging infrastructure and related issues.
Building a Sustainable Culture
Beyond hard materials, the production embedded sustainability into daily operations and crew life:
- Hydration: 1,700 reusable stainless steel water bottles were distributed, along with additional water dispensers, to mitigate the high use of single-use plastic bottles.
- Catering: Somyos Catering employed bio-packaging, provided reusable dinnerware, offered traditional snacks wrapped in banana leaves instead of plastic, and consistently offered multiple vegetarian and vegan options while reducing beef consumption.
- Transportation Mitigation: Strategically housing foreign cast and crew within walking distance of the production office significantly helped to reduce fuel use and transportation CO2 emissions.
Resources for Sustainable Filmmaking
The methods used in Alien: Earth are part of a growing global movement. For productions and crew interested in deepening their own sustainability work, the following resources provide excellent starting points and frameworks.
Sustainable Entertainment Alliance (SEA): A non-profit coalition dedicated to accelerating environmental sustainability across the entertainment industry. Their resources offer practical guidance for productions of all sizes.
Learn more: https://www.sustainableentertainmentalliance.org/
Production Environmental Actions Checklist (PEACH): A comprehensive set of best practices covering all phases of production—from pre-production planning to post-production wrap. It serves as a practical toolkit for implementing sustainable measures.
Access the checklist: https://greenproductionguide.com
Creatives for Climate Action Thailand 2024 Toolkit: A localized resource designed specifically for the Thai creative industry. This toolkit provides regionally relevant advice and steps to reduce the environmental impact of productions.
Explore the toolkit: https://creativesforclimateaction.org/
By sharing these resources and the lessons from Alien:Earth, we hope to support the industry’s continued growth toward sustainable filmmaking practices.
Share this post