Sustainable cinemas in Austria

The first accents for green cinemas were already set several years ago! The Diagonale goes Green in Graz, the initiative "Kino denkt weiter" (Cinema thinks ahead) as well as the sustainability activities of the Wiener Gartenbaukino accompanied by Pulswerk GmbH within the framework of the ÖkoBusiness programme of the City of Vienna were important milestones. In recent years, several Austrian cinema companies have shown interest in having their own Ecolabel for cinemas. The great interest in the new Ecolabel guidelines for museums and theatre companies has given further impetus in the cultural sector in this regard.

Then, in the summer of 2021, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Public Service and Sport (BMKÖS) conducted an online survey to ascertain the status quo of cinema businesses and operating sites in the area of sustainability. The participating cinemas qualified for the selection process for the Austrian Cinema Award in the category of sustainability, which was offered for the first time by the BMKÖS in September 2021. Eight Austrian cinemas were awarded by the BMKÖS for their achievements.

Ecolabel guideline for cinema operations developed

On the following initiative of the BMK and the BMKÖS, pulswerk GmbH and the VKI were commissioned to develop an Ecolabel guidelines for cinemas together with the industry, building on the existing guidelines for museums, theatres, tourism businesses, event locations and events. In several extremely constructive online workshops with the Austrian Cinema Association, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber - Association of Cinemas, Cultural and Entertainment Enterprises and numerous cinemas from all over Austria, such as the Haydnkino, Gartenbaukino, Admiralkino, Schubert Kino, Stadtkino, TOP Kino, Cinema Paradiso, Star Movie and many more, a draft guideline was drawn up, which was adopted by the Ecolabel Advisory Board in June 2022 and came into force on 1 July 2022.

This was the first time that an Ecolabel guideline was introduced to promote and reward sustainable management and social responsibility in Austrian cinemas. Cinemas or film theatres - are all screening facilities for all types of films with regular screenings.

Cinemas with consistent sustainable management can apply for the Austrian Ecolabel. This ranges from general management to efficient energy and water management, environmentally friendly and sustainable procurement of food, beverages, electricity, paper, materials and cleaning agents, solutions for climate-friendly mobility and waste avoidance and separation.

The challenge of cinema gastronomy

This poses special challenges, for example in gastronomy. This differs considerably from conventional cafés or restaurants. In cinemas, large groups of people have to be catered for in a short period of time, and the food on offer is usually not comparable with conventional catering establishments. Therefore, different demands would have to be made. Measures to avoid waste by using reusable dishes or beverage containers can also be implemented in cinemas and visitors should also be offered regional and organic products. Sustainability starts with the purchase of products. Serving regionally produced drinks in reusable cups or bottles and dispensing with plastic straws are ways to make the assortment at the cinema buffet more environmentally friendly. There are also delicious, more sustainable alternatives for snacks that can be served at the cinema. The selection and presentation of the assortment at the buffet offers the best opportunity to communicate sustainable concepts and solutions to the audience. At the buffet, sustainability in the cinema gets a face for the visitors.

Cinema-specific themes

Of course, there are also themes to meet the special requirements of cinemas. In cinemas, for example, 3D glasses can be used as reusable goods. Thanks to the use of new energy-efficient laser projectors, power requirements in cinemas can be reduced enormously. LED lighting not only ensures a considerable reduction in electricity costs, but the creatively designed lighting concept gives cinema halls a special ambience. The issue of mobility also raises questions. Even in rural areas, it is important to be able to reach the cultural institution without having to own a car. Alternative mobility concepts, including timetable coordination with public transport, are in demand here. In order to be awarded the Ecolabel, all employees of a company must be involved.

The first two Austrian Ecolabel cinemas

In recent weeks, the Schubert Kino in Graz and the Haydnkino in Vienna have successfully completed the Ecolabel certification process with a positive audit. Sustainability, ecology and the conscious use of resources are always in the focus of Austrian Ecolabel cinemas. More Austrian cinemas are currently on their way to certification, which means that the family of sustainable cultural enterprises that assume socio-political responsibility and are awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for it continues to grow.

The Haydnkino - Vienna's traditional cinema and pioneer in the field of sustainability

Since 1917, the Haydnkino has been showing a range of films from mainstream to arthouse, from freeride to Shakespeare. From students to film clubs, everyone who values a real cinema feeling meets there. 3D and the latest laser projection are just as much a matter of course as the best GMO-free popcorn from European cultivation, which of course pops up fresh right in front of the guests, because that's the only way it's really good. In keeping with the slogan "Haydn, more than cinema", not only are the latest blockbusters shown, but theatre and opera performances are also broadcast live from London. "Classic Movie Nights", premieres of Austrian films, sing-along performances and much more round off the varied programme of the family-run cinema.

"We are pleased to be one of the first cinemas in Austria to be awarded this certificate. With this measure we want to further increase the feel-good and experience factor of our guests and make our contribution to a more climate-friendly environment," says managing director Christian Dörfler.

DI Christian Pladerer, Pulswerk GmbH