Sustainability
We want to become the most sustainable historic theatre there is
Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam is more than 130 years old. We intend to preserve it for at least another 130 years. Making a historic building more sustainable is a complex undertaking. It requires courage, patience and precision, because every intervention must be appropriate to a building with such a rich history.
Our ambition is a bold one: to become the most sustainable historic theatre in the Netherlands. On stage, behind the scenes and throughout the building, we work towards that goal every day.
We could fill pages with the initiatives we are taking, but here are just a few examples.
Our route: the Theatre Green Book
To make our sustainability measurable and to give it direction, we follow the Theatre Green Book. That is the international standard for sustainable theatre, from building to production. Our ambition is clear: by 2030 we want to reach the highest level. That keeps us sharp and makes sure sustainability does not remain a fine intention but runs through everything we do. To safeguard that ambition we have an internal sustainability working group and a sustainability coordinator who drives it forward and manages our sustainability agenda, and reducing our footprint is part of all policy plans, production plans and annual plans.
- Marion Cornelissen, Head of Building & Facilities
A roof full of solar energy
High above the neo-Renaissance façade something remarkable is happening. On the roof of the Stadsschouwburg there are 750 solar panels, with which we generate a large part of our energy. The solar panels were a gift from the Sonnepanelen Initiatief to the city council (the owner of the Stadsschouwburg) to mark 750 years of Amsterdam.
When the solar panels were installed, a green roof was laid as well, which retains rainwater, keeps out heat and offers room to plants and insects in the middle of the city. In this way the oldest part of our building helps to build the future. And a nice detail: we also have our own bee colony on the roof.
- Marion Cornelissen, Head of Building & Facilities
Everything deserves a second life
A production comes to an end, but the materials need not. We reuse materials and set pieces as much as we can. We make bags out of old fabric banners and flags, for instance. And costumes from productions we no longer perform become acoustic panels. In the restored Pleinfoyer, for example. There, beneath the beautiful artwork by Claudy Jongstra, are panels made from old costumes.
What loses its function in one place is given a new life here. In that way we shrink our pile of waste and keep fine materials in circulation.
Clean on the road
Sustainability does not stop at the door of the Stadsschouwburg. We transport our sets in electric lorries. The vans we use to move around the city and the region are electric too. For shorter journeys through the city we prefer the cargo bike.
Together we make a difference
We do not do it alone. We make an explicit request to all companies who come to perform here: travel to us as sustainably as you can. A building only becomes sustainable together with the makers, the companies and the audiences who come here. We ask our visitors to use the bike or public transport as much as possible. Not only is that the most sustainable option, parking in the city centre is quite a challenge too.
Wim van Vliet, head of the costume department, on sustainability
“Buying or making clothing is anything but sustainable. A great deal of clothing is produced on the other side of the world, where yarns and fabrics are often made using agricultural pesticides, a great deal of water and plastics. Polyester yarn is one of the largest sources of microplastics worldwide. Who will find the solution to make this polluting industry circular?”
We actively look for companies and collaboration partners whose vision of this matches ours. The Dutch companies Avantium and Senbis, for instance, are working on the development of biodegradable polyester yarns. Although their production is still small, we hope they will make an impact within a few years. Wherever possible, ITA buys sustainable clothing, for example through second-hand shops and markets. When a production leaves the repertoire, we do not throw away clothing that is still in good condition; it goes back to our costume store. With an extensive collection of clothing and shoes, all neatly organised, the store offers our designers plenty of inspiration.
Our hair and make-up department mainly buys hairpieces made of real hair. And wherever possible we opt for sustainable make-up and products. We limit the use of dry cleaning and use sustainable detergents. For some years now we have also had an ozone cabinet, which removes harmful bacteria in a sustainable way."
A green idea? Let us know!
Would you like to contribute to our sustainability ambition as a partner, or do you have a good idea? Then please get in touch with us. Send a message to Michiel van Schijndel at michiel.vanschijndel@ita.nl.