Greening the Greek

Berkeley’s Greek Theatre

After setting the model for venues nationwide with an innovative environmental program in 2006, the Greek Theatre at U.C. Berkeley has once again set new standards for environmental responsibility within the music industry.

Another Planet Entertainment has implemented an extensive composting program at The Greek, making it the first major music venue to institute a program of this scale for an entire concert season. The venue uses compostable beer cups, wine cups, napkins, plates, and utensils—all of which can be placed in the 32 compost receptacles throughout the venue. Each compost receptacle is lined with a compostable can liner, which is made from corn.

Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter. Once collected and placed under the proper conditions, the cups, utensils, plates, and food scraps from The Greek Theatre will break down and become compost in as few as 180 days. Compost can be used for a variety of functions in gardening, agriculture, and landscaping. Additionally, all these items will stay out of landfills, which are rapidly filling with waste. The composting program joins a long list of environmental initiatives already in place at The Greek, including the purchase of renewable energy credits to offset all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions related with artist travel and concert production, the use of recycled paper and soy ink for all printed materials, recycled content paper towels and toilet paper, and environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Another new option offered by Another Planet is the ability for Greek-goers to “green” their own tickets for an additional $1. When purchasing tickets, concertgoers can add $1 to their order—this dollar will go toward the purchase of renewable energy credits through NativeEnergy. NativeEnergy will then use these funds to help build new wind turbines that will provide energy that otherwise would have to come from burning fossil fuels such as oil or coal. Through this program, concertgoers can offset the CO2 emissions that they will create by driving to and from The Greek.

Additionally, all of the Greek’s compost, recycle, and waste receptacles are labeled with brand new signage that lists exactly which items go into each receptacle. Additional help will be provided by the newly formed “Green Team,” made up of volunteer students from U.C. Berkeley who will roam the venue to ensure that items are placed in the right containers—both by conversing with patrons and by pulling compostable and recyclable items out of waste bins. The Green Team will be present for all of the season’s shows, which include Wilco, Beastie Boys, The White Stripes, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Shins, and Bryan Adams and George Thorogood.

“We’re looking forward to the day that we can remove all the trash cans from The Greek Theatre and use only recycling and compost bins,” said Gregg Perloff, CEO of Another Planet Entertainment. “We’re counting on the audience to take a few extra seconds and put all their trash in the right place.”

In all, Another Planet will take the following steps to reduce the environmental impact of the concerts slated this season at The Greek Theatre, which is located on the University of California-Berkeley campus. The venue will feature:

• Carbon offsets to make the season climate-neutral
• $1 opt-in for ticket-buyers that allows them to offset their environmental impact
• Recycling stations and composting stations throughout the venue
• Compostable cups, plates, napkins, and utensils for concertgoers
• Recycled paper and soy based ink for all printed materials
• Recycled content toilet paper and paper towels throughout the venue
• A “Green Team” to help and inform concertgoer about The Greek’s initiatives
• Environmental contests, winners receive free “Green Tickets” to future concerts
• An online guide to traveling to The Greek by foot, bike, or public transit

About Another Planet Entertainment

Another Planet Entertainment is a leading concert promotions company that organizes and promotes events and concerts throughout the United States. The company was formed in July 2003 by longtime veteran Gregg Perloff. On August 16, 2003, Another Planet premiered, in a collaborative effort with Giants Enterprises, presenting Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco. Since its inception, Another Planet has produced over 500 events with artists ranging from Dave Matthews Band, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and Simon & Garfunkel to Kanye West, Pixies, and Metallica to Phish, The Strokes, and Jack Johnson.

In its first year of operation, Another Planet Entertainment was honored to be selected by a vote of its peers in the concert industry as “Promoter of the Year” in the United States by Pollstar Magazine. Again, in 2004 and 2005 Another Planet was pleased to be named “Independent Promoter of the Year.”