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blogUniversal Studios Home Entertainment
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is committed to increasing the environmentally friendly packaging options it has to offer.
Carbon Footprint Analysis
● In 2007 USHE conducted a carbon footprint analysis of our single disc products. This helped us identify the areas of our supply chain that have the biggest impact on CO2 emissions.
Packaging materials
● USHE released 2008's Incredible Hulk in cases that use 20% less plastic than what was the standard case at that time. A total of 3,700,000 cases were used for the release.
● On April 20th 2009, USHE transitioned to a DVD case that uses 20% less plastic than the standard DVD case. To date a total of 64 million of these cases have been used.
● Eureka seasons 1, 2 and 3 packaging materials include trays made from recycled water bottles. Each tray saves 1.25-1.5 water bottles from landfills. Additionally, the paperboard material is made from 100% recycled stock with 55% from post consumer waste (PCW) and 45% from postindustrial waste. The paper packaging is made from 100% recycled materials and is compostable.
● Since June 8th 2009, all USHE lithos and inserts and have been printed using paper that contains 10-15% less materials, resulting in a reduction of C02 emissions by 4400 lbs per every 1 million printed units. The new paper stock consists of 10% post consumer waste fibers and is FSC certified. To date over 100 million lithos have been printed on this lighter stock.
● Prior to June, a heavier stock was used that contained 30% post consumer waste. 400 million lithos were manufactured using this paper before transitioning to the more eco-friendly, lighter stock.
● In September 2009 USHE transitioned all paperboard materials from 18pt to 16pt board. As with the lighter weight litho stock, annual CO2 reductions of 4400 lbs per every 1 million printed units are expected. To date, over 8 million units have been printed on this lighter weight stock.
● More than 10 million O-cards, slipcases, digi-packs, and boxes have been printed on recycled stock paperboard. Most recycled board used contains 40% PCW stock.
● All USHE point of purchase corrugate displays are manufactured with 75% post consumer waste recycled content material and most are printed with environmentally friendly, water-soluble inks.
● As part of the DEG Green Packaging task force, USHE helped to create a "Green Packaging Toolkit', which ranked the different types of sustainable packaging available to the home entertainment packaged goods industry.
Freight
● In 2009 USHE transitioned to 100% EPA SmartWay certified carriers for transportation of product to customers. All EPA SmartWay carriers provide significant, measurable air quality and/or greenhouse gas improvements while maintaining or improving current levels of other emission and/or pollutants. Our freight provider has agreed to limit their carrier network to only SmartWay carriers with no cost or quality impact to USHE.
Carbon Footprint Analysis
● In 2007 USHE conducted a carbon footprint analysis of our single disc products. This helped us identify the areas of our supply chain that have the biggest impact on CO2 emissions.
Packaging materials
● USHE released 2008's Incredible Hulk in cases that use 20% less plastic than what was the standard case at that time. A total of 3,700,000 cases were used for the release.
● On April 20th 2009, USHE transitioned to a DVD case that uses 20% less plastic than the standard DVD case. To date a total of 64 million of these cases have been used.
● Eureka seasons 1, 2 and 3 packaging materials include trays made from recycled water bottles. Each tray saves 1.25-1.5 water bottles from landfills. Additionally, the paperboard material is made from 100% recycled stock with 55% from post consumer waste (PCW) and 45% from postindustrial waste. The paper packaging is made from 100% recycled materials and is compostable.
● Since June 8th 2009, all USHE lithos and inserts and have been printed using paper that contains 10-15% less materials, resulting in a reduction of C02 emissions by 4400 lbs per every 1 million printed units. The new paper stock consists of 10% post consumer waste fibers and is FSC certified. To date over 100 million lithos have been printed on this lighter stock.
● Prior to June, a heavier stock was used that contained 30% post consumer waste. 400 million lithos were manufactured using this paper before transitioning to the more eco-friendly, lighter stock.
● In September 2009 USHE transitioned all paperboard materials from 18pt to 16pt board. As with the lighter weight litho stock, annual CO2 reductions of 4400 lbs per every 1 million printed units are expected. To date, over 8 million units have been printed on this lighter weight stock.
● More than 10 million O-cards, slipcases, digi-packs, and boxes have been printed on recycled stock paperboard. Most recycled board used contains 40% PCW stock.
● All USHE point of purchase corrugate displays are manufactured with 75% post consumer waste recycled content material and most are printed with environmentally friendly, water-soluble inks.
● As part of the DEG Green Packaging task force, USHE helped to create a "Green Packaging Toolkit', which ranked the different types of sustainable packaging available to the home entertainment packaged goods industry.
Freight
● In 2009 USHE transitioned to 100% EPA SmartWay certified carriers for transportation of product to customers. All EPA SmartWay carriers provide significant, measurable air quality and/or greenhouse gas improvements while maintaining or improving current levels of other emission and/or pollutants. Our freight provider has agreed to limit their carrier network to only SmartWay carriers with no cost or quality impact to USHE.
blogUniversal Pictures
Universal Pictures and Focus Features have made sustainability a priority in production.
Green Film Production Guide
Universal Pictures has helped develop a Green Film Production Guide specifically for our operations. This guide provides each department with production-specific information, resources and best practices to implement green practices on set.
Download the Green Film Production Guide here.
Sustainable Production in Action
● Focus Features' "It's Kind of a Funny Story" diverted 88% (11.43 Tons) of set waste through composting and recycling.
● Upcoming productions "Charlie St. Cloud," "Little Fockers," "Paul" and recently wrapped "The Thing" and "Hop" all composted their food waste.
● Scenic Artists on "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" saved hundreds of sheets of lumber by replacing with recycled content cardboard when possible.
● Focus Features' "The American" recycled office furniture by donating it to earthquake devastated communities in Abruzzo.
Featured Film
"Away We Go"
The Focus Features film, "Away We Go," was the subject of a pilot experiment in the reduction of carbon emissions and environmental impacts of a feature film production in the spring and summer of 2008.
Highlights of the production's carbon-reduction achievements:
● Over one third of the fuel used to power the production generators and vehicles was a biodiesel blend that ranged from 5% to 99%.
● Blended biodiesel average cost was 12.7% less than standard diesel fuel.
● Biodiesel fuel emits 8.5% less carbon per unit than regular diesel fuel.
● Hybrid rental cars were driven 45% of the total rental car miles driven during the production.
● 150 hybrid rental cars were used during the shoot.
● Whenever hybrid vehicles were not available, the production crew rented compact, low-MPG cars.
All Universal Pictures' productions provide reusable water bottles to the cast and crew to reduce individual plastic water bottle use.
Water filters and composting are encouraged on set whenever possible.
Green Film Production Guide
Universal Pictures has helped develop a Green Film Production Guide specifically for our operations. This guide provides each department with production-specific information, resources and best practices to implement green practices on set.
Download the Green Film Production Guide here.
Sustainable Production in Action
● Focus Features' "It's Kind of a Funny Story" diverted 88% (11.43 Tons) of set waste through composting and recycling.
● Upcoming productions "Charlie St. Cloud," "Little Fockers," "Paul" and recently wrapped "The Thing" and "Hop" all composted their food waste.
● Scenic Artists on "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" saved hundreds of sheets of lumber by replacing with recycled content cardboard when possible.
● Focus Features' "The American" recycled office furniture by donating it to earthquake devastated communities in Abruzzo.
Featured Film
"Away We Go"
The Focus Features film, "Away We Go," was the subject of a pilot experiment in the reduction of carbon emissions and environmental impacts of a feature film production in the spring and summer of 2008.
Highlights of the production's carbon-reduction achievements:
● Over one third of the fuel used to power the production generators and vehicles was a biodiesel blend that ranged from 5% to 99%.
● Blended biodiesel average cost was 12.7% less than standard diesel fuel.
● Biodiesel fuel emits 8.5% less carbon per unit than regular diesel fuel.
● Hybrid rental cars were driven 45% of the total rental car miles driven during the production.
● 150 hybrid rental cars were used during the shoot.
● Whenever hybrid vehicles were not available, the production crew rented compact, low-MPG cars.
All Universal Pictures' productions provide reusable water bottles to the cast and crew to reduce individual plastic water bottle use.
Water filters and composting are encouraged on set whenever possible.blogUniversal Media Studios/Universal Cable Productions
Universal Media Studios (UMS) and Universal Cable Productions (UCP) have established a set of basic "Green Goals" implemented by our entire slate of productions. Additionally, each production is also tasked with forming a Green Committee that works to incorporate additional show-specific sustainability opportunities and extend its show's impact even farther. Collectively, our shows are already making great strides in the reduction of waste and energy in the production process.
Production Office Policies
● Establish a green committee
● Transition to smart power strips
● Eliminate plastic water bottles in the office
● Use earth friendly soaps and cleaning products
● Keep communication as digital as possible
● Recycle paper, cardboard and containers in the office and on set
● Recycle batteries, ink cartridges and electronic waste
Construction Policies
● Reuse construction materials whenever possible
● Use low VOC paints and varnish
● Recycle construction waste
Department Specific Policies
● Recycle film waste
● Eliminate Styrofoam
● Catering to provide real dishes and cutlery
● Donate all edible left over food to a 3rd party non-profit or charity
● Craft service to provide bulk water on set
● Use reusable shopping bags
● Enforce "No Idling Policy" for all vehicles
Green Television Production Guide
To facilitate the above processes, UMS/UCP has helped develop a Green Television Production Guide specifically for our operations. This guide provides each department with production-specific information, resources and best practices to implement green practices on set.
Download the Green Television Production Guide here.
Featured Show
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
The production and set design crews for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" created a more environmentally friendly set for their show launch in 2009, including:
● Sets constructed with FSC-certified, responsibly harvested wood
● Low or No VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints
● Bamboo floors throughout the interview area
● Repurposed interview desk
● Reclaimed décor from local salvage stores
● Refurbished seats from Radio City Music Hall
● Carpeting made from 100% PET plastic bottles
● CFL and LED lighting over head lighting wherever possible
● Metal Platforms for the band stage instead of wood
Take Jimmy's studio tour here.
Bamboo is highly sustainable due to its quick growth.
Studio seating was reclaimed from Radio City Music Hall.
Production Office Policies
● Establish a green committee
● Transition to smart power strips
● Eliminate plastic water bottles in the office
● Use earth friendly soaps and cleaning products
● Keep communication as digital as possible
● Recycle paper, cardboard and containers in the office and on set
● Recycle batteries, ink cartridges and electronic waste
Construction Policies
● Reuse construction materials whenever possible
● Use low VOC paints and varnish
● Recycle construction waste
Department Specific Policies
● Recycle film waste
● Eliminate Styrofoam
● Catering to provide real dishes and cutlery
● Donate all edible left over food to a 3rd party non-profit or charity
● Craft service to provide bulk water on set
● Use reusable shopping bags
● Enforce "No Idling Policy" for all vehicles
Green Television Production Guide
To facilitate the above processes, UMS/UCP has helped develop a Green Television Production Guide specifically for our operations. This guide provides each department with production-specific information, resources and best practices to implement green practices on set.
Download the Green Television Production Guide here.
Featured Show
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
The production and set design crews for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" created a more environmentally friendly set for their show launch in 2009, including:
● Sets constructed with FSC-certified, responsibly harvested wood
● Low or No VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints
● Bamboo floors throughout the interview area
● Repurposed interview desk
● Reclaimed décor from local salvage stores
● Refurbished seats from Radio City Music Hall
● Carpeting made from 100% PET plastic bottles
● CFL and LED lighting over head lighting wherever possible
● Metal Platforms for the band stage instead of wood
Take Jimmy's studio tour here.
Bamboo is highly sustainable due to its quick growth.
Studio seating was reclaimed from Radio City Music Hall.
