Our sustainability mission

The Traverse is an active member of the Green Arts Initiative; a proactive green arts network run by Creative Carbon Scotland. We are committed to engaging staff, audiences and stakeholders to embed sustainability at the heart of decision-making and raise awareness of each individual's needed contribution towards achieving a carbon-neutral future. We are constantly working to improve and evaluate our carbon management plan and policies through an appointed Sustainability Working Group.

By working to the guidelines and standards set out in the Theatre Green Book, we consistently hold ourselves accountable for our work and its environmental impact, ensuring we question how we can develop better working practices for a more sustainable future.

Here we’ve outlined our progress towards our green mission thus far.

Through Productions and Storytelling:

Putting climate narratives centre stage

  • Our latest Traverse/IASH Creative Fellow, Isla Cowan, is interrogating ideas of environmental responsibility in the writing and creation of her latest play.
  • ThickSkin's Peak Stuff brought the concept of consumer culture to the Traverse 1 stage in March 2024, questioning how our buying habits impact the world around us.
  • In February 2024 we welcomed award-winning theatre company, Mechanimal with their latest performance Vigil which presented a tragicomic exploration of life in an age of extinction.
  • Our 2023 Traverse Theatre Company production, ADULTS by Kieran Hurley addressed our impact on the planet and proposed the question of how we intend to leave the world for generations to come.
  • During TravFest23 we engaged young people from across Scotland with our Last Chance To Save The Planet project, amplifying the voices and concerns of the next generation in a plea to do better for our world.
  • In our Autumn 2023 season Strange Town brought, And... And... And...by Isla Cowan to Traverse 2, an urgent new play about the impacts of climate anxiety and the mounting pressures on young people today.
The young people of Scotland and their loved ones showing off their Last Chance To Save The Planet zines during TravFest23 Credit: Raymond Davies
Kieran Hurley's, ADULTS, explored the concept of creating a world that's fit for those who come after us. Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

Making our technical processes more sustainable:

  • We make every effort to embed sustainability directly into the creative process of our productions, decreasing the amount of virgin materials we use and instead placing an emphasis on reused and recycled materials.
  • We regularly share resources with other Scottish theatre companies, promoting the ethos of reusing and recycling within the wider landscape of the industry.
  • 53% of the set for Same Team - A Street Soccer Story was made from recycled materials, recreating the likeness of the Dundee Change Centre right here in Traverse 1.
  • Of the costumes used for the Class Act Edinburgh Showcase 2024, 83% had been used before and 100% are being reused again for future projects.
  • 97% of the set pieces in Sean and Daro Flake It 'Til They Make It were reused, including the ice cream van!
Did you know the ice-cream van in Sean and Daro Flake It 'Til They Make It was hired for the production such that we were able to return it for others to use again in the future! Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
50% of the production for Same Team - A Street Soccer Story used reused and/or recycled materials. Credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Our building

  • All of the overhead lighting in our office spaces and 90% of the lighting in our communal spaces are LED powered, which uses less energy than traditional lighting.
  • We have installed ceiling mounted motion sensors in most of our dressing rooms to reduce on energy waste by lights being left on when not in use.
The majority of our lighting around the Traverse is LED powered, Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
We have fitted our dressing rooms with motion sensors so that lights turn off when not in use. Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

Our operations

  • The majority of products on our bar are locally sourced, with 75% of the beer we stock being produced right here in the Lothians.
  • We work with local suppliers to source all of our bar snacks and pie options (A Play, A Pie & A Pint).
  • During TravFest23 we partnered with local supplier Planet Kuku to offer a fully plant based menu in the Traverse Bar, significantly reducing our carbon emissions.
  • We have reduced our print output both within marketing and office capacities, only printing the required amount and reassessing regularly how much is needed as we move into an increasingly digital world.
  • All of our marketing and office print output is printed on FSC certified stock.
  • We have installed digital signage in our ground floor foyer area to reduce the amount of print we require for marketing purposes.
  • We use reusable and recyclable plastic cups in our bar, and compostable cups for hot drinks.
  • We have increased the number of recycling bins around the building to make it easier for audiences and staff to recycle waste items.
  • We are proud to promote sustainable travel options for staff and audiences.
The majority of products on our bar are locally sourced. Credit: Raymond Davies
All of our draught beer is produced right here in Edinburgh. Credit: Lara Cappelli

We have a number of other sustainability projects in motion which we will update on in due course. The Traverse Team are continuously working with other green initiatives and undertaking training to better our understanding of best practice and what more we can do to lessen our carbon footprint.