As we kick off Great Big Green Week 2024, we at the Lyric Theatre are thrilled to embrace this year’s theme: "Let's Swap Together for Good." This initiative encourages us to reflect on the small, eco-conscious changes we can incorporate into our daily lives to foster a safer, greener future. Here’s a closer look at how the Lyric Green Team is participating and how you can join us in making a lasting impact.
Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our Scenic Construction Workshop, where we focus on minimising environmental impact. As Northern Ireland’s only full-time producing theatre, we create 8-10 in-house productions annually. This year, we’re proud to report that all our sets achieved the Theatre Green Book baseline standard, with over 50% of materials recycled from previous productions. Notably, our productions of Little Women and Burnt Out utilised at least 50% recycled materials, while Anne Boleyn and The Beauty Queen of Leenane achieved the intermediate standard with 75% recycled materials. Our Christmas productions Hansel and Gretel and Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas hit the advanced level with 95% recycled materials!
By reducing the use of raw materials and reusing existing ones, we not only cut down on waste but also set a benchmark for sustainable theatre production. We collaborate with external creative organisations like Bruiser Theatre Company and Northern Ireland Opera to extend our green practices across the industry.
Our purpose-built, modern facility was designed with energy efficiency in mind. Equipped with solar thermal panels and a natural ventilation system, our building maximises energy savings. Recently, we installed a new Building Management System, supported by Theatres Trust and the Wolfson Foundation, allowing us greater control over heating, ventilation, and energy use. This system has been transformative in helping us achieve our energy-saving targets.
But we’re not stopping there. We're actively seeking funding to install LED lighting in two large theatre spaces, further reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing our sustainability credentials.
Our dedication to sustainability extends to our daily operations. We've made significant strides by moving towards paperless processes in our Finance and Admin departments and switching to a more sustainable recycling supplier. Our Green Team promotes a culture of sustainability, ensuring that eco-friendly practices are embedded in every aspect of our work.
A notable achievement in our efforts to reduce single-use plastics is the replacement of disposable plastic glasses with reusable cups, saving 36,000 plastic cups from ending up in landfills each year.
Through our outreach programme, we are committed to raising awareness about environmental issues. Our production, Wastebusters, has toured primary schools across Northern Ireland, educating over 5,000 young people about littering and plastic pollution. Supported by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, this initiative fosters environmental consciousness among the next generation.
Our dedication to sustainability has not gone unnoticed. We’ve been shortlisted for the Business in the Community Responsible Business Award for Best Climate Action and recognized with a Bronze Green Tourism Award. Additionally, our Head of Development and Marketing, Claire Murray, is the co-chair of Green Arts NI, advocating for a creative response to the climate crisis.
As we celebrate Great Big Green Week, we invite you to join us in making small but impactful changes in your daily life. Whether it’s reusing materials, improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, or educating others about sustainability, every action counts. Together, we can create a safer, greener future.
Let's swap together for good and make this Great Big Green Week the start of lasting, positive change!