Allie Tissot's Research with Laika Studios
Industry: Stop-motion animation
Project Type: Waste and Energy Reduction
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Major/University: PhD in Ecotoxicology; Earth, Environment, and Society, Portland State University
Summary
Allie worked with award-winning studio, LAIKA, to improve sustainable practices by decreasing their energy usage through monitoring stage lighting and workspace equipment, and by minimizing waste within everyday operations.
Company Background
Founded in 2005 by President & CEO Travis Knight, LAIKA Studios is an Oregon-based animation studio known for its Oscar-nominated films Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link. The studio is celebrated for its innovation in animation, technology, and visual effects, and is now expanding into book adaptations and live-action films. With a current staff of 658, LAIKA has earned multiple workplace and sustainability awards, including Top Workplaces and the Green Business Leaders Gold Award. Its Sustainability Committee works closely with leadership to drive ongoing environmental improvements.
Project Description
As a result of the audit, Allie recommended several actionable sustainability upgrades, including adding more compost bins and investing in countertop compost machines to reduce food waste and create soil for on-site landscaping. She suggested replacing single-use cups with thrifted mugs, improving stage lighting efficiency, and implementing deep-sleep and weekend shut-down protocols for employee computers. Allie also proposed installing solar panels in parking lots and patios—with future potential for roof panels—adding living walls to enhance air quality and reduce energy use, and replacing traditional lawns with clover to cut water usage, lower landscaping costs, and support pollinators.
Estimated Annual Reductions
Allie's recommendations could have the following annual impacts:
6,600 lbs
Solid Waste
11.5 metric tons
Reduced CO2 Emissions
$80,000
Savings