The hidden cost of performance
Theatre is space where imagination meets craft, where stories are brought to life through costumes, sets, props, and movement. But behind the curtain, the performing arts of face a growing environmental challenge; the materials that support each production often have short lifespans and limited reuse options. From elaborate costumes to crew uniforms and scenic textiles, much of what’s used on stage is discarded once the show ends.
Even in dance, the issues is clear. For examples, pointe shoes, are often worn for just one performance before being thrown away. It’s a striking illustration of how iconic items in the arts can contribute to a quiet stream of waste. These shoes aren’t built for longevity, the very materials that allow a dancer to move seamlessly across the stage also make them nearly impossible to recycle.
Beyond the spotlight
Theatres generate significant volumes of textile and product waste, yet these items rarely feature in sustainability planning. Unlike lighting rigs or sound equipment, textiles are often overlooked, despite their potential for recycling. Whether it’s touring production or local playhouse, the cycle of creation and disposal is relentless.
Costumes are often custom-made for specific roles and productions, making them difficult to repurpose without creative intervention. Crew uniforms, promotional merch, and scenic textiles such as drapes, backdrops, and soft furnishings are typically discarded once a show ends or a season changes. These materials may be stored temporarily, but without a clear reuse pathway, they often end up in landfill.
The challenge is compound by tight production schedules and limited backstage storage, which can make sustainability planning feel secondary to artistic delivery. Yet these backstage choices have long-term environmental consequences. Without a systems for responsible disposal or reuse, the creative process becomes a contributor to material waste, one that’s repeated across hundreds of venues and productions each year.
Theatre Green Book: A framework for net zero
The Theatre Green Book is helping reshape this narrative. Developed by theatre professionals and sustainability experts, it provides a shared framework for green productions, venues, and operations. It outlines three progressive standards: Baseline, Intermediate, and Advance. Guiding organisations towards full sustainability and net zero carbon emissions.
Reuse is central to achieving the Baseline standard, with 50% of materials needing to have had a previous life, and 65% needing to be repurposed at the end. The Advanced standard goes further, requiring theatres to reduce emissions across all areas, including supply chains and material use, before considering carbon offsetting. It’s not just about energy efficiency; it’s about rethinking how materials are sourced, used, and disposed of. That includes the end-of-life treatment of costumes, uniforms, dancewear, and props, ensuring they don’t end up in landfill but instead get a second life.
Alongside this, the ACT UK Final Report from the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) explores sustainable material reuse within the wider creative industries. Its insights bridge fashion, performance, and manufacturing, exactly the intersection where dancewear and sustainability meet. Together, these initiatives are helping to shape a more circular culture in the arts, one that values material life beyond its first performance.
Avena’s encore: giving materials a second act
At Avena, we work behind the scenes to turn this vision into practice. Through the SecureBrand service, organisations can ensure that all costumes, uniforms, dancewear, and other textiles are kept out of landfill. Every item entering our system is given a second life, either through repurposing or remanufacturing, diverting 100% from landfill.
We’ve supported venues like regional theatres managing touring wardrobe waste, dance companies seeking circular solutions for performance wear, and production teams looking to responsibly dispose of crew uniforms and scenic textiles. Our process generates government-backed carbon savings that can be directly attributed to your ESG and sustainability goals.
By supporting circular solutions, Avena helps organisations like local repertory theatres, national touring companies, West End productions, and more meet Theatre Green Book standards and move closer to net zero.
Interesting in making your theatre productions more sustainable? Speak to one of our experts today.
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