Ours is an industry whose actions become news and whose stars become leaders. We are in a position, like it or not, to lead by example. But let's face it; biofueled buses, like local-farm catering, just ain't for everybody. Further, many of these things aren't always possible. Again and again it became apparent that there is no one simple set of answers. We have not yet received the stone tablets laying down the eco-solutions that can be applied across the board. However, there is much that can be done on many fronts, which makes it okay to pick our battles.
For example, Mary Conde of Another Planet, one of the country's greenest festival organizers, spoke of how she and her festival team utilize environmentally-smart construction materials for sets and stages and then reuse much of it in subsequent years – admirable indeed. Yet for those without storage facilities and repeated demand, this is simply not practical. Some folks can substitute a product like "Eco Sheet," a recyclable product made from a mix of recycled polymers and other recycled material including waste electrical and electronic equipment, for standard ply when building sets, but can't get their hauler to compost.
When I was prepping for the a Papal rally, I was stuck with throwing a semi's worth of ¾-inch ply down for roadbed, only to watch it turn into toothpicks in a matter of hours because I couldn't get my hands on any more "Rhino-Mat." That's the reality of the business. The challenge is what each person in the production food chain can do to make a difference, each according to their needs, and each according to their ability, creativity and budget.
From "Touring on the Green" by Chris Wangro, PLSN, April 2010
