Working Worldwide: Event Cycle Brings Circular Impact in Miami with Sledge

Event Cycle’s mission to reduce waste and create social value doesn’t stop at UK borders.

When Sledge approached us to support their event in Miami, we were excited to take our

work overseas to the USA, this time with a digital twist.

Sledge enlisted Event Cycle to explore different ways to give back to the local Miami

community. While a planned social impact activity was eventually removed from the event

scope, we were still able to make a lasting contribution through a unique repurposing

opportunity: drone footage.

Rather than letting high-quality digital content created for the event only have a one-time

use, Event Cycle arranged for it to be donated to local organisations working across

education, environmental action, and community engagement instead.

Where the Footage Landed

New York Film Academy South Beach

This world-renowned film school embraces a “learning by doing” philosophy, students do not

simply study the theory of their craft, but receive hands-on instruction in creating films and

acting on screen throughout Miami. The donated footage was planned to be used in Editing I

& II classes, as well as in their Intermediate and Thesis Film courses, helping students build

the skills they need to become professional filmmakers. From colour correction to narrative

sequencing, real-life content like this brings classroom learning to life without the cost.

Unfortunately, three months following the donation the academy was forced to close their

Miami campus and spent the time allocating its students to other campuses rather than

putting the footage to good use. With hope, once everyone is settled, other campuses may

be able to make use of the footage.

Miami-Dade Coastal Cleanup Inc.

This grassroots organisation leads shoreline and neighbourhood cleanups to combat marine

debris. The drone footage they received will be integrated into social media campaigns and

educational content, helping to visualise the scale of ocean pollution and inspire greater local

involvement in their environmental preservation activities.

Debris Free Oceans

A Miami-based group working to eliminate plastic pollution from beaches, reefs, and oceans,

Debris Free Oceans will use their content for an upcoming promotional video encouraging

volunteer engagement. The footage may also feature in a film they’re co-producing with a

nonprofit partner, extending the impact even further.

“Planning for sustainability from the outset, rather than treating it as a last minute add on is embedded in all that we do at Sledge, and our teams look to our dedicated IMPACT Tool as standard to identify how projects can elicit the most positive change.

"In this particular case, working in partnership with Event Cycle we identified an opportunity to give the expansive suite of b-roll drone footage we created for the experience – which featured Miami’s iconic beaches, striking shorelines and key landmarks – another life by donating it to worthy local community causes.

"It’s a powerful example of the value of purposeful partnerships, and a stark reminder that sustainability isn’t solely about the environment, we can, and should aim to, leave a lasting positive impact by addressing the wider ESG matrix.”

Becca Shanks

Creative Services Director, Sledge

Why Digital Repurposing Matters

Repurposing isn’t limited to physical items. As this project shows, digital materials like video

footage can have an incredible second life too, supporting learning, outreach, and social

change. Why spend hours of time, money and emissions creating content for a one time use when you could donate it to charitable organisations instead. Integrating social impact into

projects which don’t have any physical waste.

The project also highlights Event Cycle’s ability to deliver sustainable impact internationally.

From researching relevant charities and social enterprises to managing donations and

communications on the ground, Event Cycle handles the process end to end ensuring

materials are put to good use locally, and maximising benefit to the surrounding community,

wherever the event takes place.

Planning an international event? We can help you reduce waste and create impact

wherever you are. Let’s talk hello@eventcycle.org