We at Soulpepper believe that artists and cultural institutions have a vital civic role to play in our community. Climate change and environmental impact are critical issues that the whole world is facing, and we want to play a role in addressing them, here in our city.
Earlier this year a group of Soulpepper and Young Centre employees and artists formed a working group, dubbed the “Greenpeppers” to explore and enhance environmentally sustainable practices across the organization. We invite our audiences, stakeholders, and community to join us in this challenge.
Steps we’ve taken so far:
- Replaced the house lighting in the Michael Young Theatre with energy efficient LED fixtures, thanks to support from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
- Replaced the Atrium lighting with energy efficient LED fixtures, thanks to support from the Culture Build
- Investment Program through the City of Toronto.
- A commitment to reducing office paper by 25% by 2020.
- Commitment to migrate our contracting process onto digital platforms.
- Commitment to increase the number of donation receipts we issue digitally.
- The Young Centre Café offers .25¢ off drink orders that use their own reusable mug.
- Young Centre Café cups are corn-based and will breakdown in 5-7 years, as opposed to a lifetime in a landfill
- Reduced our computer screen monitors brightness.
- Launching a new composting program, that is used in our courtyard.
Steps you can take:
- Consider accessing your playbill online (sent via email in your pre-show reminder) instead of taking a paper copy.
- If you do take a physical playbill, consider returning it to an usher after the show.
- Consider taking transit or biking or carpooling to theatre.
- Dispose of your waste and recycling in the correctly marked bins at the theatre.
- Opt for eTickets (which can be scanned from your phone) instead of picking up at Will Call.
Do you have other suggestions or ideas of steps we can take? Please email us at: green@soulpepper.ca