178 Simon Cook of Reset Scenery: embedding circularity into the creative industries

Guest bio

Simon Cook is co-founder of Reset Scenery, a Scotland-based organisation working at the intersection of the creative industries and the circular economy. With over 25 years in set construction and more than a decade focused on circular practice, Simon works to reduce waste in the creative industries by reclaiming, repurposing and rethinking scenic fabrication. Through Reset Scenery’s circular programmes, material recovery systems and industry advocacy, he champions practical, scalable approaches to sustainable fabrication for stage, screen and live events.

Reset Scenery supports the Stage, Screen & Events sectors through reclaimed material redistribution, circular material management strategies and lower-impact construction approaches aligned with initiatives such as the Theatre Green Book. The organisation works to embed circular principles directly into design and build processes — helping productions reduce embodied carbon, material waste and disposal costs without compromising technical standards. In addition to its core reuse and recovery work, Reset Scenery has developed professional-grade modular scenic systems designed to support smaller organisations with sustainably sourced, long-lasting and versatile core scenic elements. Working in partnership with BECK Fastener Group, Reset Scenery also supplies LIGNOLOC wooden fastening systems to the creative industries, enabling lower-impact construction methods within scenic fabrication.

Alongside its professional production work, Reset Scenery provides its modular systems and circular design support to schools and education settings, helping build long-term skills and sector resilience through practical, hands-on sustainable practice.