Dundalk's An Táin Arts Centre implements eco-friendly initiatives for a sustainable future

An Táin Arts Centre has said it is proud to be taking bold steps toward becoming a fully eco-friendly venue. 

With the support of Louth County Council, they’ve been implementing changes that minimise waste, conserve energy, and help them operate in a way that’s kinder to the planet. 

An Táin Arts Centre said: “Our mission is simple: to reduce our carbon footprint and embrace practices that protect the environment for future generations. Our management team have taken part in a number of training sessions, including the Arts Council’s Climate Action Training Workshop by Native Events. 

“Following on from this training we decided to hold a Climate Action Workshop for our Board members, staff and volunteers, so that as an organisation we could take a holisitic approach and identify how any changes in practice might impact all individuals working within the organisation.

“Energy conservation has been a major focus for us. We’ve upgraded all gallery lighting to energy-efficient LEDs and invested in new LED stage lights where practical, with Louth County Council’s support.

“To further reduce energy usage, we’ve worked with Louth County Council as they installed zoned heating controls and upgraded exit doors to better regulate indoor temperatures.

“We’ve gone almost completely paperless in the office, digitizing all files. Additionally, we’ve increased our reliance on online meetings with visiting companies to reduce travel-related carbon emissions.

Read Next: Uisce Éireann warns of water disruptions in certain areas of Louth this week

“We’re also tackling waste head-on. At the bar, we’ve switched to sustainable products, and our single-use coffee cups and lids are now compostable, going straight into our brown bin every week. Our team diligently sorts recyclable waste, including items left behind in the auditorium after shows. To save resources, they have purchased an energy-saving washer/dryer for costumes.”

An Tain also  reuse and recycle theatre equipment, sets, and costumes whenever possible, and any new equipment purchased is chosen for its energy efficiency. To reduce waste further, they’ve revamped how they distribute printed promotional materials, carefully calculating the minimum print amount they need. The centre is also experimenting with alternatives to traditional print to stay connected with audiences without unnecessary waste.

In 2025 they say they hope to continue their work in this area and are currently seeking funding to replace their bathroom lights with sensor lights to cut down on energy. They also said they’d like to replace paper hand towels in the bathrooms with hand dryers to reduce waste. 

Meanwhile, they have received funding from Meta to purchase digital scanners, and are looking forward to implementing scanning digital tickets in early 2025 cutting down on the amount of waste as they currently print 20,000 tickets every year. Although, they will still have the option to obtain a printed ticket for anyone that finds it easier than using technology.