Propup - good energy in tackling waste
new Circular Models in film & TV
When I was a location manager, I always wondered how on earth productions could ever recycle or reuse all the unwanted props, costumes, set dressings and construction material. Sometimes there would be a car boot style sale for the crew. Our clothes dryer was purchased at such an event many, many years ago and is still going strong, but on the whole many, many items would never find a new home and be chucked into vast 40 yard skips.
I'm happy to see that there's been a significant shift in the industry over the past five years. The problem of waste is slowly being tackled, and suppliers such as CAMA AssetCycle, along with our dedicated production sustainability consultancies, have been instrumental in developing circular models and reuse networks*. Through collaboration with production teams, studios and social enterprises many of these initiatives are designed to extend the lifecycle of all production assets.
INTRODUCING THE propup project
Enter PropUp Project! PropUp is a an exciting emerging sustainable and social clearance solution for the TV & Film industry that is finding homes for all these unwanted props and materials.
I was lucky enough to meet Kate, one of the co-founders of PropUp, at an event recently and we quickly discovered we have a mutual ambition to help our industry become more sustainable and less wasteful.
I was so impressed to hear how PropUp was helping productions pass these items on to second homes, or finding charities supporting local communities who are able to extend the lifecycle of these often great quality items.
Even the old lino from sets can make all the difference to someone moving into a their new home. Kate told me that local authorities strip all the previous tenants carpets and flooring out prior to the next occupants arrival. PropUp can make the connections so flooring from sets find their way to charities who are able to distribute to the people who need them most.
Nominated in the BeLambeth Awards 2024!
PropUp is having an incredible impact on local communities and has been shortlisted in the Climate Action: Sustainable Impact Award category in the BeLambeth Awards 2024!
Imbedded in the Lambeth community, the project has been championed by local people from the very beginning, and rightly so. It’s such a simple idea, but one that requires so much energy and commitment. I sincerely hope they win!
A completE Service
PropUp has a range of different services whereby they take care of everything from inventory right through to sales and distribution. Significantly reducing a productions environmental footprint, whilst having an incredible direct impact on local communities, something many productions struggle with. To top it all, at the end they produce a detailed Impact Report that can be used for Marketing / PR, CSR and sustainability reporting.
26,000+ donations TO DATE
From clothes and shoes to furniture and bedding, stationery and toiletries to sports and tech equipment – PropUp has ensured thousands of items have found new homes within communities across the UK – connecting with more than 200 different charities, schools and not for profit organisations. They’ve recently had huge success in Essex, repurposing set pieces and flats to theatres, event companies and industry reuse. There’s still obstacles to overcome and conversations to be had about the way we build our sets, but PropUp is making great strides to be able to include this within their service too.
ITV ReLoved PARTNERS
..and then there is the recent news that PropUp Project is partnering with ITV and eBay to deliver ITV ReLoved, which allows fans get their hands on one off props for sale from a range of ITV shows.
The items will be listed via a brand new official eBay marketplace selling props, furniture, costume and production items.
This great partnership can only but help to grow an already thriving second life culture and help to further reduce waste - at the same time as allowing fans to get their hands on one of a kind items from their favourite ITV shows.
To read the full Press Release, click here
Unlimited POTENTIAL
Although Kate and Emma are based in London, their network of beneficiaries spans across the UK and beyond – so if you want to PropUp London, PropUp Manchester, PropUp Glasgow (or PropUp LA!)… get in touch!
If you’d like to find out more about PropUp's services or about how you can get involved, please get in touch:
hello@propup.uk
Like to know more about the circular economy in film and TV? Take a look at some other useful resources and further reading:
BAFTA’s Albert Annual Report: With up to date initiatives and work around the circular economy and waste reduction in production. In a recent move, BAFTA's albert announced an industry taskforce, to look at the circular economy, with representation from various broadcasters. Working with sustainability production experts and suppliers, they've committed to fostering reuse models within the film and TV industry.
Art Council Circular Economy Networks: The goal of this piece of research was to explore the opportunities for reduction in single-use consumption through circular economy networks within the creative and cultural sector. Excellent resources and initiatives are discussed.
*British Film Designer’s Guild Planet Positive Award Entries: A good example of how Production Designers and the Art Department are investing in the circular economy and reuse, working with sustainability consultants. Take a look at case studies such as the The Crown and Hijak.
CAMA AssetCycle: AssetCycle is an innovative industry circular economy service. Their team facilitates reuse and provides lifecycle analysis carbon data on the impact of circularity.