I am in awe of the designers, craftspeople and artists who bring worlds to life on screen and stage. But we all know that building these worlds creates a significant amount of waste in the real one. A challenge many in the industry are actively working to solve.
Years collaborating with organisations like CAMA AssetStore, Sustainable Film, and the British Film Designers Guild (BFDG) have shown me real change happens through communication and cross-sector effort. That’s the foundation here, championing innovation, sharing resources and doing the work together.
That’s why at Set & Scene 2026, sustainability wasn’t a side theme, it was woven into the whole scene.
What sustainable production design means today
For our inaugural show sustainability was built into every part of the show. The focus was on innovative solutions that work day-to-day: JMSS and Macfarlane’s cardboard construction tour showed how large-scale scenic builds can actually become circular and reusable. The Cineco and Vectar Sets session offered a direct, side-by-side comparison of standard builds and engineered paper sets. CAMA and Used Creative led discussions on asset reuse and its immediate impact, Restage and Assetflow discussed cross sector zero waste initiatives, while the National Theatre Dye Garden’s interactive demo connected natural dye processes with the realities of costume and scenic craft. Every example centred on honest, practical methods and what’s being done right now to reduce waste.
Why working together matters
Real change happens when people work together. Film, theatre, and live events all face similar challenges, and progress only comes when those sectors connect. At Set & Scene 2026, collaboration wasn’t just highlighted, it was happening live: practical examples of circular builds, direct material comparisons, live demonstrations, and open conversations about what is actually effective.
When that National Theatre came on board as a partner with Set & Scene the aim was clear: share real solutions so others can apply them now. I am so thankful to Kate Johns and Frances Dawes who put together various sessions and displays from creatives working in theatre, so that film & TV, and events could learn and benefit from their innovative developments.
Bringing together designers, suppliers, technologists, and craftspeople from across the different industries allowed for direct knowledge-sharing at Set & Scene 2026. The real value lay in people openly exchanging methods and outcomes. Clear, specific insights into how materials, reuse, and collaboration are reducing waste and improving workflows across projects.
What we saw at Set & Scene 2026
Industry suppliers and organisations such as the Theatre Green Book, and Society of British Theatre Designers demonstrated practical systems already active in production, reusable set structures, modular builds, engineered paper, low-impact materials and improved sourcing methods. Every example was built around what’s being used efficiently on real jobs right now, not theoretical solutions.
- Reusable set structures
- Modular build systems
- Lower-impact materials
- Improved sourcing methods
Challenges in the industry
However, challenges still exist and it’s not straightforward.
Productions run up against tight schedules and financial limits, and changing old habits isn’t quick work. Set & Scene 2026 didn’t shy away from these realities and sessions tackled the constraints directly. Still, meaningful progress came from teams who showed how they’ve embedded sustainability into daily decisions, asset planning and material selection, even when resources are stretched.
Why the UK is well placed to lead
I feel incredibly lucky because the UK has such a strong, vibrant creative industry. Our world-class film studios, historic theatres, and massive live event spaces all sit remarkably close together geographically.
This proximity makes face-to-face collaboration so much easier. It allows brilliant, innovative ideas to move at lightning speed between different sectors.
As a result, I firmly believe the UK is perfectly placed to lead the global charge in sustainable design in stage, screen and events. However, reaching that potential depends entirely on our willingness to share openly and build strong, trusting partnerships. This is where Set & Scene comes in.
What happens next
Looking ahead, the future of sustainable design in the UK depends on three crucial things.
First, we need even better collaboration across the board. Second, we must commit to ongoing innovation, even when it feels risky. Third, we need honest, shared learning across all sectors.
At Set & Scene, we are already seeing this beautiful shift happening. Designers are testing out new ideas much earlier in the process. Suppliers are building smarter, more efficient systems. Teams are also learning to work in much more flexible, adaptable ways.
Therefore, the momentum is building, and the change is already well underway.
Final thoughts
If putting together this event has taught me anything, it is that sustainable design in the UK is not a final destination. It is an ongoing, constantly evolving process.
It grows every time we share a success, test a new material, and learn from a mistake. As a result, absolutely every project adds to the larger wave of change.
The next step for all of us is actually quite simple. We must keep sharing what works. Crucially, we must also be brave enough to talk openly about what does not work.
Join the conversation
I would absolutely love to hear from people working in sustainable production design across the UK. Your stories are what drive this community forward and make putting events like this together so rewarding.
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