Sunbelt Rentals champions sustainability in equipment rental, transforming the film and TV industry through innovative solutions and a commitment to eco-friendly practices. 

Sunbelt Rentals is the global leader in equipment rental. Its inventory and expertise span sectors from construction and civil engineering to live events and critical infrastructure. It keeps the film and TV industry running by supplying comprehensive camera, grip, lighting, and location services to studios, streamers, and broadcasters across Europe, the UK, and the US. As part of the FTSE100 Ashtead Group, Sunbelt Rentals firmly understands its responsibility to lead on sustainability, innovation, and business governance. 

“The strategic action plan that runs throughout our organisation is called Our Planet and it is a commitment to driving emissions down,” says Mike Pollard, managing director of film & TV at Sunbelt Rentals. “It’s inspired by a clear purpose: to transform lives and lead positive change across the rental industry to deliver a better future.”                                                                         

When it comes to a greener, more sustainable future, it’s not just about changing the big things. “It’s about everything,” says Pollard. “Even the details like moving to digital, paperless systems, to introducing water and energy-saving equipment into our depots and investing in electric, hybrid, and Euro 6 compliant vehicles.”                                                                                      

As a global company, Sunbelt Rentals has the buying power to not only invest in the latest low-carbon technologies but also collaborate with world-leading manufacturers to shape demand for the next generation of equipment. In the UK, Sunbelt Rentals operates the largest fleet of ultra-low emission or fully electric plant and power equipment and provides services to many of the leading television shows and films shot in the country from dozens of depots. 

BESPOKE BRANDS AND SPECIALIST SERVICES 

If you’re unfamiliar with Sunbelt Rentals, you will doubtless have worked with one of its bespoke brands. These include Manchester-based photographic and TV lighting specialist PKE Lighting and camera, lens, and grip hire firm Movietech, which operates from production bases at their new Wembley Facility and Great Point Seren Studios in Wales.       

If it’s lifting equipment you require, whether that’s Genie booms, scissor lifts, cherry pickers, spider lifts, telehandlers, or forklifts, then it is Alpha Grip or Media Access Solutions you need. Northern Ireland’s film and TV industry is catered for with Belfast-based Acorn Film & Video.                                                                                                      

These specialist film and TV businesses are combined with the knowledge and expertise of William F. White International (WFW), Canada’s iconic and largest provider of professional motion picture and television production equipment. Collectively, Sunbelt Rentals has supplied kit and facilities, sometimes custom studio builds, to countless productions including Spectre, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation to The Diplomat (Netflix), Mr Bates and The Post Office (ITV), The Crown (Netflix), How to Train Your Dragon (Universal), American Gods (Starz), and Good Omens (Amazon Prime). In August this year, Sunbelt Rentals unveiled its flagship UK facility at Victory Park North, Wembley, in West London. This 180,000 sq ft hire one-stop shop brings together Sunbelt Rentals’ Film and TV business with the company’s wider offerings, such as power, HVAC, and external training, ensuring an exceptional customer experience. It is also destined to be the epicentre for Sunbelt Rentals’ sustainable net-zero and low-carbon equipment solutions, featuring their clean energy and sustainable location services.  

“The Wembley facility has been designed to be as sustainable as possible,” Pollard says. “We are proud to have one of the largest LED and solar lighting inventories in the industry, helping productions save on fuel usage and cut harmful emissions.       

“In terms of green lighting solutions alone, we have seen kit lists from gaffers and DPs change massively over the past 18 months. Younger camera and lighting crews are quick to embrace LEDs, but more experienced hands want to see change too and are keen to rig with less fuel-inefficient equipment.” 

SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY COMMUNITY 

Sunbelt Rentals also aims to support the industry through partnerships, training, and addressing skills shortages. As the Sunbelt Rentals lighting team locates in Wembley, it will create local employment. A new partnership with the Liverpool Film Office will see Sunbelt Rentals facilitating an ambitious programme of activity to help build a stronger, more diverse, and skilled screen workforce across the Liverpool City Region and support Liverpool City Council’s Net Zero goal.                                                                                                         

“Our goal is to not only enhance productions and support the local community, but also to create a positive social impact,” says Pollard. “The more we can put equipment and knowledge in front of productions, the more the dial will shift towards greater use of green solutions. “We spend a lot of time teaching, explaining, and demonstrating the practical benefits of working with low or zero carbon emission generators, for example. “Encouragingly, we are seeing a lot of push from the top from the likes of BBC, Netflix, and other big streamers, with whom we are working on green production initiatives. Change is happening.” 

CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR PRODUCTION 

Reducing your environmental footprint doesn’t have to mean drastic change or increased costs. Sunbelt Rentals’ Clean Energy Team is here to help every step of the way.                                                                                          

“Whether it’s creating a hybrid temporary power solution that combines battery technology with generators or exploring solar-powered technologies and hydrogen, we have the equipment and the expertise to assist you at every stage of your journey to clean energy.” Sunbelt Rentals’ range of green energy solutions includes Stage V generators, battery storage units, and energy management systems, which provide a more sustainable alternative to using diesel. All its plant equipment, lighting, and generators are compatible with fossil-free HVO fuel, which is proven to reduce emissions by up to 90%, helping productions reduce fuel costs and cut carbon. 

PIONEERING A HYDROGEN-POWERED FUTURE 

The company is helping pioneer a hydrogen-powered future too. It is partnered with Balfour Beatty in a project that will renew and improve 3km of Thames shoreline flood defences at Canvey Island. Funded by the Environment Agency, the project will protect thousands of homes, businesses, and infrastructure from rising sea levels brought about by climate change when complete in 2025.  

“There is a shared desire between Balfour Beatty, the Environment Agency, and Sunbelt Rentals to drive innovation and explore solutions that can accelerate net zero plans,” explains Pollard. “So, when the opportunity arose to trial a H2-powered fuel-cell generator, we collaborated to install this groundbreaking solution. Collectively taking a step forward to gain a deeper understanding about this zero-carbon fuel has the potential to help shape the future of our planet.” 

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND INDUSTRY APPLICATION  

Lessons learned at the cutting edge of technology by Sunbelt Rentals’ in-house engineering team can be quickly transferred to the film and TV industry as and when H2 becomes a viable and practical option. “The more we can learn and share knowledge about alternative fuels, how to integrate with renewable energy technologies, and how to begin to introduce them into applications in film and TV location and studio-based production—the sooner we can make zero carbon alternatives a reality,” says Pollard. But it takes a few pioneers and problem solvers to turn what-if into what-is.                                                             

“Our Sustainability Plan 2025 aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Pollard says. “We are committed to creating social impact and achieving lasting legacies through our work, and we want to continue to collaborate with our clients, suppliers, and industry bodies like BAFTA albert to help innovate and shape the next generation of environmentally friendly film and TV production equipment.” 

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Words: Adrian Pennington