Lights, Camera, Reuse: Film & TV Props Find New Life in Habitat ReStores Across Northern Ireland
Date Posted: May 14, 2025
Innovative partnership between Northern Ireland Screen and Habitat for Humanity Ireland gives set pieces a second act—raising funds for local communities and reducing waste.
(Pictured – Niall McConkey, ReStore Impact Manager; Ricardo Manso, ReStore Donation Collection Driver; Ashley Ng, ReStore Volunteer; Emma Millar, ReStore Retail Assistant; Gavin Kelly, Facilities and Sustainability Manager at Northern Ireland Screen.)
Northern Ireland Screen has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Ireland. Through this collaboration, productions supported by Northern Ireland Screen will be encouraged to donate surplus materials, props, and furniture at the end of filming. This initiative will help reduce waste, support the circular economy, and foster sustainable practices within the screen industry.
The recently wrapped Channel 4 production In Flight was among the first to contribute to the initiative, donating reusable set materials and furniture including desks, chest of drawers and homeware items for redistribution through the charity’s social enterprise, Habitat ReStore.
Gavin Kelly, Facilities and Sustainability Manager at Northern Ireland Screen, said: “Northern Ireland Screen is encouraging productions to rethink what happens when the cameras stop rolling. All too often, high-quality sets, materials, and furniture are discarded and end up in landfill. Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity provides practical, impactful steps toward a more sustainable industry. Together, we’re making it easy for crews to build sustainability into every production, until it becomes second nature.”
Niall McConkey, ReStore Impact Manager at Habitat Ireland, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Northern Ireland Screen, connecting us with local film and television productions, working together to build a more sustainable world. Partnerships with local businesses enable positive impacts for local people, communities and the environment.
Last year, Habitat ReStores diverted more than 1,600 tons of reusable material from landfill, as well as helping 120,000 people to access low-cost materials and offering volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn new skills for employment. ReStore can help companies achieve ESG and recycling targets and supports Habitat’s impact in Ireland and around the world.”
Sustainability remains a guiding principle in Northern Ireland Screen’s mission to cultivate a thriving and environmentally conscious film and television sector. The approach aims to integrates environmentally sustainable practices across all areas — from set construction to skills development — with a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions and minimising environmental impact.
Northern Ireland Screen actively promotes sustainable production through education, industry engagement, and the endorsement of green standards.
Through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Northern Ireland Screen is furthering its commitment to building a world-class screen industry that champions environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.
Learn more about Northern Ireland Screen’s sustainability initiatives here.
For more information about ReStore and its mission, visit their website.
