CATERING

Food is a major part of film production, as it is in everyday life. Low impact choices are to eat low on the food chain, which means putting less emphasis on meat, in favor of pastas, rices, beans, breads, salads, and so on. This will save money as well. There are environmental repercussions in your choice of plates—paper, plastic or ceramic; in the flatware you choose; the washing soaps; the trash you generate; and the way in which you deal with leftovers.

MEALS
Consider handing but cards that ask the crew about their dietary preferences. Hire a caterer who will provide a vegetarian alternative at every meal. If you are shooting out of the city, look for a local caterer. They will be glad for the steady business that a shoot requires.

LEFTOVERS: if you are shooting in the city and have food left over after a day's shoot, City Harvest or Meals On Wheels will come pick it up and serve it to the homeless that night. Your donation is tax deductible.

SERVING
Assess whether or not your production can serve meals, on hard plates," meaning ceramic cafeteria style dishes. This is the low-impact preference. They do not generate trash; they are substantial to hold; they can be washed and reused. Hard plastic or thrift shop Bakelite plates from the sixties are lightweight substitutes that can also be reused. Both are preferable to disposable-plates.

DISPOSABLE PLATES: If you have to use disposable plates, use paper plates instead of plastic. A great deal of resources are expended to manufacture plastic products, and they have no chance of biodegrading in a landfill.
• What about a camping plate and utensil kit for each crew member? They can watch after their own kit and return it after the shoot.

UTENSILS: Plastic should not be used as a daily product. Use stainless steel-flatware and wash it. Assign a production assistant to wash up. Let them know it's a valuable contribution to the film.

MUGS AND CUPS: Give out mugs to your crew with the film title or logo on it. This upfront investment will boost your crew’s morale early in production, save you paper cup expenses, and advertise your movie long after the shoot. Everyone should be responsible for their own mug. Get people off the throw-away kick; There are strong, spill-resistant ceramic (From HotJo) or plastic mugs now available, and with the film logo or title, they make great souvenirs.
• As with the plates, a permanent plastic cup is preferable lo disposable plastic. (The FDA does not allow paper cups made from recycled material at this lime.)

CLEANUP
A conscientious cleanup surrounding daily meals and craft service will have a tremendous impact over the course of a five to eight week shoot.

CLEANING PRODUCTS: Many soaps are toxic to our water supply. You should buy biodegradable cleaners for dishes, pots, and pans. For scouring power, use baking soda.

GARBAGE BAGS: There are large paper bags that are made from (100%) recycled paper are biodegradable in landfills, and are stronger than plastic bags, even when wet.
• Don't use "biodegradable plastic bags." They are an eco-scam.
• If you are going to use 'plastic hags try the ones made from recycled plastic.

RECYCLING: Organize an on-location recycling system for every location shoot. Get the crew to recycle cans and bottles as a matter of course. *(pg. 31) City shoots can work with We Can, the self-empowering recycling group for the homeless.

COMPOSTING: If you are shooting in the country, consider compos-ting leftover vegetables, flowers, leaves, and other organic waste. You can donate to a local farmer or garden society.