Skintown

Skintown is an Irish Feature film; it is a coming-of-age story that strikes an important balance between humour, menace & tragedy. Produced by Keeper Pictures in association with Cyprus Avenue Films, the was filmed across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with principal photography taking place over four weeks from mid-September 2025. Sustainability was embedded from the outset of the production, with environmental considerations informing early budgeting, scheduling and departmental planning rather than being applied retrospectively. 

The production’s Sustainability Strategy was structured around five core pillars:

1. Communication & Engagement: making sure sustainability expectations were clear, shared early, and supported throughout the shoot.
2. Waste Management:  reducing landfill waste by prioritising reuse, recycling and composting wherever possible.
3. Sustainable Catering: lowering the impact of catering through thoughtful food choices, reduced waste and compostable packaging.
4. Travel & Energy: cutting emissions by planning travel carefully and using lower-emission energy solutions on set.
5. Materials: limiting new purchases by favouring rental, reuse and second-hand sourcing, with responsible disposal after wrap.

These commitments were clearly communicated to the cast and crew through a dedicated Sustainability Crew Memo and supported by an approved Sustainability Plan that guided decision-making throughout the production. Carbon impacts were actively measured using the BAFTA Albert carbon calculator, alongside internal tracking and supplier data, to ensure emissions were understood and monitored. With this framework in place, the production applied sustainability practices across departments, with particular emphasis on energy-reduction measures supported through Screen Ireland’s Sustainability Innovation Fund, reflecting both the scale of the project and its regional filming context in Dundalk.

In addition, the production applied sustainability practices across accommodation by:

• Issued a Sustainability Crew Memo and Waste Segregation Green Memo outlining clear expectations for waste, energy use and shared responsibility on set.
• Implemented a three-bin system (general, recycling and compost) across all locations, with a focus on diverting food waste and compostable catering packaging.
• Managed specialist waste streams, including batteries and electronic waste, separately from general waste with guidance provided to relevant departments.
• Prioritised low-consumption LED lighting, battery-powered units and the use of an ARRI M90 in place of higher-output fixtures to reduce energy demand.
• Introduced lower-emission energy solutions, including the use of HVO fuel for diesel-powered equipment, supported by the Screen Ireland Sustainability Innovation Fund.
• Used battery generators and solar-assisted vehicle solutions to reduce generator run-time, particularly in exterior and remote locations.
• Supported Costume and Art departments in sourcing vintage, second-hand and hired items in line with circular economy principles.
• Tracked carbon emissions using the BAFTA Albert carbon calculator, supported by departmental and supplier data throughout the shoot.

Sustainability planning for Skintown began in pre-production and was built into early budgeting, scheduling and departmental discussions. The Sustainability Advisor prepared a structured pre-production engagement plan to ensure expectations were clear and practical from the outset, including:

• A Sustainability Plan circulated to key crew ahead of the shoot
• A Sustainability Crew Memo and Waste Segregation Green Memo were distributed to all cast and crew
• Department-specific sustainability guidelines tailored to individual workflows
• Sustainability reminders included on daily call sheets
• Pre-shoot briefings with Heads of Departments to agree on realistic actions

Sustainability was positioned as a shared responsibility across the production, supported by clear guidance and consistent communication. Crew were encouraged to engage with the Sustainability Plan through practical measures such as correct waste segregation to support recycling and composting targets, reducing single-use plastics, and choosing lower-impact materials through renting and second-hand sourcing. Circular economy principles were actively promoted, with departments encouraged to consult the Sustainability Advisor to identify opportunities to reuse, donate, resell, or repurpose materials, ensuring items could have a second life after wrap.

Waste Management & Circular Economy

A  three-bin waste system was used across all filming locations, separating general waste, recycling and compostable waste, with clear signage and consistent layouts to make correct segregation as straightforward as possible for the crew.

Particular emphasis was placed on diverting food waste and compostable catering packaging into compost bins. Crew were reminded that compostable cutlery, food boxes and napkins should not be placed in general waste. In the Republic of Ireland, additional guidance was provided to clarify differences in bin colour coding.

Specialist waste streams, including batteries and electronic waste, were managed separately from general waste. Departments generating higher volumes of technical waste were supported with guidance on appropriate disposal routes.

Objectives: The primary objective was to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and improve overall waste segregation on set.

Actions Taken: Clear signage, regular reminders and consistent bin placement were used to support correct behaviour, alongside compostable catering materials.

Outcome: Waste segregation improved as the shoot progressed, with food waste diversion identified as a key success area. Crew engagement increased once systems became familiar and easy to use.

Sustainable Catering

Catering decisions focused on reducing environmental impact while maintaining quality and crew wellbeing. Daily vegetarian and vegan options were provided, and red meat was reduced where possible. Menus were planned to balance sustainability considerations with crew preferences.

Packaging waste was reduced by using compostable plates, cups, and cutlery. Single-use plastic bottles were avoided by providing water stations and encouraging crew to bring reusable bottles.

Accurate daily headcounts were used to limit over-ordering and reduce food waste. These measures represented a shift away from standard production-catering practices and contributed to lower waste volumes and reduced emissions associated with food and packaging.

Travel & Energy

Energy use was a key focus of Skintown’s sustainability strategy, particularly given the regional filming context and limited access to grid power at some locations.

On set, the production prioritised energy-efficient LED lighting, battery-powered units and reduced generator run-time wherever possible. An ARRI M90 was used in place of higher-output fixtures to lower overall energy demand.

With support from the Screen Ireland Sustainability Innovation Fund, the production introduced lower-emission energy solutions, including the use of HVO fuel for diesel-powered equipment where required. Battery generators and solar-assisted vehicle solutions were also used to reduce reliance on traditional generators.

Travel planning focused on efficient scheduling to minimise unnecessary movement, with car-sharing encouraged where feasible, particularly during the Republic of Ireland shoot. These measures helped reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions.

Materials & Circularity

Material sourcing prioritised rental, reuse and second-hand options wherever possible. This approach aligned both with sustainability goals and the periodic nature of the project.

The Costume and Art departments were supported in sourcing vintage, second-hand, and hired items, reducing the need for new purchases. Props and set dressing were designed with reuse and return in mind.

After wrap, materials were responsibly managed, with items returned to suppliers, reused by other productions, donated or recycled as appropriate. These practical decisions reduced waste and supported circular economy principles.

Carbon Tracking & Offsetting

Carbon emissions were tracked using the BAFTA Albert carbon calculator, with tracking managed by the Sustainability Advisor in collaboration with production and key suppliers. Data was gathered throughout the shoot to monitor energy use, travel and waste-related impacts.

The primary focus was on reducing emissions at source rather than relying on offsets. Any offsetting considerations were reviewed at wrap once final data were available.

What Worked Well

A number of on-set sustainability measures worked particularly well on Skintown, especially those that were agreed during pre-production and delivered through clear systems and close collaboration with departments.

1. Early sustainability planning

• Sustainability was considered during budgeting, scheduling and departmental planning.
• This allowed lower-impact options to be explored before decisions were locked in.
• Departments had time to plan realistic actions within their workflows.

2. Energy reduction measures

• Battery-powered units, including Hussh Pod battery generators, were used to limit generator run-time,  particularly on exterior and remote locations.
• A solar-assisted pickup truck was used in place of a traditional rigging van, reducing fuel use for transport and on-set power.

3. Waste segregation and waste management systems
The partnership with G&H Television and Film Services, Future Events Hire, Balloo Hire and Light’n Up Lighting Services proved very successful on the project:

• Battery-powered equipment reduced noise, emissions, and energy waste
• HVO generators ran reliably and reduced up to 90% of emissions.

4. Positive crew behaviour and shared responsibility

• Crew became increasingly proactive in helping one another with waste segregation, particularly at busy catering times.
• Sustainability became part of routine working practice rather than a separate task, especially once systems were familiar.

5. Department-level engagement and compliance

• The Art and Costume departments actively engaged with circular economy principles by prioritising vintage, second-hand and hired items.
• The Electrical department worked closely with the Sustainability Advisor to trial lower-energy lighting and battery solutions within the constraints of the shoot.
• Locations and Facilities supported energy initiatives by reducing generator run-time and coordinating power solutions across multiple locations.

Challenges Encountered

Some challenges emerged during production, primarily related to the regional filming context, the introduction of new systems, and the practical constraints of a fast-paced shoot schedule.

1. Energy supply in regional filming locations

• Filming in Dundalk and surrounding regional locations meant limited access to mains power at several sites.
• As a result, the production relied on a combination of battery generators (Hussh Pods), reduced generator run-time and, where necessary, diesel-powered equipment using HVO fuel as a drop-in diesel replacement.

2. Waste segregation across multiple jurisdictions

• The production operated across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, where bin colour coding differs, as highlighted in the Waste Segregation Green Memo.
• Despite clear signage and crew guidance, this required ongoing reminders to ensure correct segregation, particularly around recycling and general waste.

Recommendations for Future Productions

• Prioritise low-consumption LED lighting, battery-powered units and reduced generator run-time as standard, using traditional generators only where unavoidable.
• Include the green premium for options such as HVO fuel, battery generators and energy-efficient lighting in early budgets to avoid late-stage trade-offs.
• Identify which departments and locations will deliver the greatest emissions reductions and allocate resources accordingly.

Skintown shows that taking sustainability seriously in regional production is both achievable and practical when it’s planned early and carried through the shoot. By focusing on straightforward measures around energy use, waste, catering and materials, the production was able to reduce its environmental impact while still keeping up with the pace of a busy television schedule - lights on, cameras rolling, and days not running any longer than they already do.

Early planning, clear communication and close collaboration between departments and the Sustainability Advisor proved key. While there were inevitable challenges around infrastructure and budget, the production found that realistic, well-supported initiatives, particularly around energy use, delivered clear benefits without overcomplicating things. Support from the Screen Ireland Sustainability Innovation Fund helped make some of these choices possible, especially in a regional context where greener options are not always the easiest or cheapest. Taken together, these experiences underline that sustainability on set works best when it is practical, well-communicated and tailored to the realities of the production, and when it helps the day run more smoothly, rather than making it harder.

Sustainability Advisor
Alexandra de Valera - Ecoscope Ltd.
Aaron Kelly

Production Company
Keeper Pictures
In association with Cyprus Avenue Films

Producers
Yvonne Donohoe
Brendan Byrne

Line Producer
Stacey Quigley

Additional Partners & Suppliers
G&H Film & Television Services
Light ’N Up Ltd.
Balloo Hire
Future Events Hire