At An Táin Arts Centre, we’re proud to be taking bold steps toward becoming a fully eco-friendly venue. With the support of Louth County Council, we’ve been implementing meaningful changes that minimize waste, conserve energy, and help us operate in a way that’s kinder to the planet. Our mission is simple: to reduce our carbon footprint and embrace practices that protect the environment for future generations. Our management team have taken part in a number of training sessions, including the Arts Council’s Climate Action Training Workshop by Native Events. Following on from this training we decided to hold a Climate Action Workshop for our Board members, staff and volunteers, so that as an organisation we could take a holisitic approach and identify how any changes in practice might impact all individuals working within the organisation.
Transforming How We Use Energy
Energy conservation has been a major focus for us. We’ve upgraded all gallery lighting to energy-efficient LEDs and invested in new LED stage lights where practical, with Louth County Council’s support.
To further reduce energy usage, we’ve worked with Louth County Council as they installed zoned heating controls and upgraded exit doors to better regulate indoor temperatures.
Cutting Waste and Embracing Digital
We’ve gone almost completely paperless in the office, digitizing all files. Additionally, we’ve increased our reliance on online meetings with visiting companies to reduce travel-related carbon emissions.
We’re also tackling waste head-on. At the bar, we’ve switched to sustainable products, and our single-use coffee cups and lids are now compostable, going straight into our brown bin every week. Our team diligently sorts recyclable waste, including items left behind in the auditorium after shows. To save resources, we have purchased an energy-saving washer/dryer for costumes.
Sustainability in Our Creative Practices
We reuse and recycle theatre equipment, sets, and costumes whenever possible, and any new equipment we purchase is chosen for its energy efficiency. To reduce waste further, we’ve revamped how we distribute printed promotional materials, carefully calculating the minimum print amount we need. We’re also experimenting with alternatives to traditional print to stay connected with audiences without unnecessary waste.
A Vision for the Future
In 2025 we hope to continue our work in this area and are currently seeking funding to replace our bathroom lights with sensor lights to cut down on energy. We’d also like to replace paper hand towels in our bathrooms with hand dryers to reduce waste. We are also thrilled to have received funding from Meta to purchase digital scanners, and we are looking forward to implementing scanning digital tickets in early 2025 cutting down on the amount of waste as currently we are painfully aware of the 20,000 tickets we print every year. We will still have the option to obtain a printed ticket for anyone that finds it easier than using technology.
Every step we’ve taken reinforces our belief that we can create great art while caring for the environment. We hope our efforts inspire others to take their own steps toward a greener future.
To read our Environmental Policy & Action Plan, visit here.
