Pinewood Toronto Studios was built with a small carbon footprint in mind and has a number of green initiatives in place to respect the environment. The studios are also an active member of Green Screen Toronto, a local initiative that consults with productions on how to minimize their environmental impact.
Energy Efficiency
• Automated lighting, heating and cooling systems
Lights in our offices are activated by motion sensor: they turn on when you enter a room and turn off when you exit. Light levels and sources are adjustable. Heating and cooling are controlled by a building automation system – reducing energy use during off-peak hours.
• Insulation
Stages and offices are insulated to help regulate temperatures inside and reduce the amount of heating/cooling energy used.
• Appliances
Appliances in wardrobe and craft/kitchen areas are energy/water efficient.
• Instantaneous hot water systems
Water is heated only when necessary – minimizing wasted heating energy.
Recycling & Conservation
• General recycling
Recycling bins are present in all offices, stage support areas and photocopy areas to reduce landfill-bound paper waste at the source.
• Bioswale to remediate drainage water
The front of our lot is lined with plants that create a bioswale. Bioswales are landscape elements that naturally trap dirt and pollutants from runoff (drainage) water. Once clean, this water can be reused for irrigation.
• Runoff water pool
The roof of the Mega Stage is structured in such a way that allows rain water to run off into a pond below. This water is then used for irrigation.
• Local vegetation
Our on-site plant life is native to the Toronto area, so it can survive Toronto's climate – even the winters. Because local plants are used to the climate, they can be watered less frequently.
• Nighttime irrigation
Irrigation is programmed to happen at night to reduce evaporation.
• Filtered water coolers
Water coolers eliminate the need for bottled water – reducing plastic consumption.