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This project was filmed in early 2024 in the remote Donegal region, where production infrastructure differs significantly from the Dublin/Wicklow area. The team approached the project with a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact from the outset. The production availed of the Screen Ireland Sustainability Advisor Fund, which enabled dedicated guidance throughout pre-production and shoot, and also marked the first time the company and the wider crew engaged with the Albert carbon calculator.

A core foundation of the production’s approach was the Fíbín Media Sustainability Plan, which outlined detailed expectations across all departments. The plan emphasised:

• The Assistant Producer, Caoimhe Ní Mhathúna, played a pivotal role in developing the sustainability strategy of the production.
• Waste reduction and proper waste segregation, encouraging avoidance of single-use plastics and adherence to a clear three-stream system.
• A paper-light workflow, with contracts, call sheets and forms issued digitally and printing available only by request.
• Sourcing materials responsibly, favouring renting, reusing, and second-hand purchasing wherever possible.
• Department-level sustainability ownership, with each team appointing one representative responsible for implementing the guidelines.Reusable-first, requiring all cast and crew to bring their own reusable water bottles and cups, supported by water refill points at unit base and on set.

Implementing these policies in a remote location required extensive consultation with Screen Ireland and the Donegal Film Office. One of the most significant infrastructural challenges was securing a waste management provider capable of supporting a three-bin system in Gweedore. With Glón (Wicklow) unsuitable due to distance and the carbon footprint implications from that, the team explored local options and eventually partnered with Sharkey’s Waste, who were willing not only to provide recycling, compost and general waste services with zero-waste-to-landfill policy, created in collaboration with the sustainability advisor.

The planning phase included concerns that a three-stream system might not be achievable in Donegal this was reflected in early drafts of disposal plans, but the ultimate solution ensured that all production waste avoided landfill, an achievement made possible by persistent research, consultation and a strong commitment to sustainability despite budget and geographic constraints.

The combination of the Sustainability Plan, crew education through the Green Memos and meetings in the pre-production process, departmental guidelines, and on-going sustainability support created a production culture where environmental responsibility was embedded in daily decision-making. Despite the challenges of location, scale, and limited resources, the production took meaningful and innovative steps to operate as sustainably as possible.

Waste & Disposal

One of the production’s most significant sustainability achievements was the successful implementation of a three‑bin system despite major infrastructural challenges. Sharkey’s Waste supported the project by supplying recycling, compost, and general waste bins to both office and location, collecting weekly, and confirming their zero‑waste‑to‑landfill process. This solution avoided reliance on skip hire, which would have been easier but far less sustainable.

Given the absence of an onsite waste‑segregation service (such as Glón normally provides), achieving reliable waste figures was challenging. However, the team maximised diversion by communicating bin signage clearly and engaging crew through sustainability memos and departmental guidelines.

Communication & Engagement

The production company issued a comprehensive Sustainability Plan and a Green Memo to all cast and crew. Each department received tailored sustainability guidelines, and one appointed representative per department was responsible for ensuring compliance ensuring that shared environmental responsibility was reflected from Producer level to departmental level.

Energy & Materials

The project prioritised renting equipment, reusing existing office furniture, adopting compostable catering materials, and following a paper‑light workflow. EcoFlow battery systems were used to reduce generator reliance, and efforts were made to minimise unnecessary energy loads. HVO was costed and considered where feasible.

Catering

Catering implemented reusable‑first policies, bulk condiment options, compostable serve‑ware, vegan/vegetarian options, and reduced‑waste practices. Cast and crew were required to bring reusable cups and bottles, with water refill points established at unit base and on set.

The production's efforts demonstrate what is possible when a small budget project approaches sustainability with creativity and determination. While some waste‑segregation accuracy challenges were unavoidable without a dedicated sustainability steward on the ground, the production still achieved a successful three‑stream waste system with zero waste to landfill - an exceptional outcome and leading example for regional film-making in Ireland. 

What worked well:

• Securing a local waste provider with zero‑landfill processing. 
• Tailored sustainability plans and memos supported crew engagement. 
• Strong communication with Screen Ireland and Donegal Film Office helped solve infrastructure limitations. 
• Compostable catering materials and reusable‑first policies significantly reduced single‑use plastic waste. 
• Energy‑efficient battery systems reduced reliance on generators. 

Challenges:

• No onsite waste‑segregation staff reduced accuracy of diversion percentages. 
• Remote location increased logistical strain and limited greener transport options. 
•  Severe weather caused last‑minute domestic flights for cast—documented transparently via production emails. 

Recommendations for future productions:

• Engage local authorities early to identify regional sustainability constraints and opportunities. 
• Assign at least one dedicated sustainability crew member when.
• Continue to develop local waste providers’ sustainability capabilities - Sharkey’s is now better equipped thanks to this project.

This project illustrates the impact that committed planning, cross‑agency collaboration, and local engagement can have on regional sustainability outcomes. Despite being a small budget production in a remote area with limited infrastructure, the team successfully implemented a three‑stream waste system, achieved zero waste to landfill, strengthened local provider capacity, and integrated sustainability across all departments.

Credits

Sustainability Advisor: Alexandra de Valera, Ecoscope Ltd. 

Production Company: Fíbín Films / Fíbín Media 

Producer: Ciarán Charles Ó Conghaile 

Line Producer: Eileen Rafferty 

Sustainability Lead: Caoimhe Ní Mhathúna