CPAC’s Creative Approach to Sustainability
When you think of sustainability at The Beach, your first thought might be the huge solar array in the parking lot or the recycling bins throughout campus. But there are many other examples of sustainability happening in every corner of the university! The Carpenter Performing Arts Center (CPAC), for example, has embraced the principles of sustainability in a truly unique way befitting a venue dedicated to celebrating arts and creativity.
CPAC, which typically prints as many as 29 large-scale banners each year to promote its various shows, has found a way to transform these program banners into stylish tote bags. This practice began about 15 years ago when production and facilities manager Kathryn Havey noticed that the banners were simply being disposed of after each event. Borrowing the practice from Broadway, Kathryn reached out to Jeff Warner to discuss how to repurpose the banners.
In addition to being a stage crew member, Jeff is also a professional quilt designer and stitcher. His expertise allowed him to design one-of-a-kind tote bags out of the discarded banners. Jeff wanted to produce tote bags that were not only beautiful but functional. So, he integrated a flat bottom that would allow the bag to stand on its own and sturdy shoulder straps for easy carrying. The material from one banner produces about 3 bags, which the team had originally planned to sell to raise funds for the Arts for Life program. Unfortunately, the pandemic derailed that idea.
The banner bags are just one of the ways in which the staff at CPAC practice sustainability. To reduce paper consumption, the Carpenter Center adopted the use of QR codes in place of paper tickets. They also try to repurpose materials from productions when they can, be mindful of the waste they are producing and recycle as much as possible.
If you are interested in acquiring a unique, recycled tote bag, reach out to Corinne Saiers. The bags would make great (zero waste) gifts for the holidays, and so would tickets to CPAC performances!
