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TV Production

Both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, NBCUniversal is integrating sustainability into our TV productions. The work we do to promote awareness about the environment on-air is highly visible. But what our audiences might not realize is that their favorite shows are also working hard behind the camera to green their own production practices. Our Universal Media Studios (UMS) division, responsible for shows like The Office and 30 Rock, along with our Universal Cable Productions (UCP), with shows like Syfy’s Warehouse 13 and USA’s Royal Pains, have implemented a solid set of Green Goals. Here are some highlights of these sustainable practices, along with other green initiatives from across our television operations:

  • NBCUniversal and the UMS and UCP shows developed a green Television Production Guide to share information, resources and best practices with each department to achieve more sustainable production.
  • UMS and UCP productions establish green committees specific to each show. The teams work on incorporating opportunities to help lessen waste, water and energy impact.
  • We’re using reusable water bottles and water-filtration units on our productions wherever practicable.
  • We reuse set materials within shows and between shows when possible.

Here’s a closer look at some of the ways production crews are implementing green practices into their every day work.

Warehouse 13, Syfy
Produced in Toronto, Ontario

  • Production conducted a “Bike to Work” contest, preventing 217 round trips from being taken
  • Composting and recycling stations are set up in the office, on stage and on location
  • Non-toxic cleaning products and 100% post consumer recycled paper towels are used in the production office.
  • Food is purchased in bulk and edible leftovers are donated
  • Washable mugs and cutlery are used in the offices and carpentry shop to reduce disposable waste. In addition, the crew uses pasta sticks in place of coffee stirrers!
  • Awarded 2010 EMA Green Seal for sustainable production practices.

Parenthood, NBC
Produced in Los Angeles, California

  • Crew separates food waste for composting at lunch.
  • Production office reduces their energy consumption by utilizing daylight, keeping most lights off throughout the day and shops with reusable bags
  • Construction uses sustainable building materials, and walls, doors and flooring are reused each time a new set is built
  • Set Dressing decorates the sets with sustainable materials such as bamboo, organic cotton bedding, recycled glass countertops and vintage furniture
  • Transportation uses non-toxic cleaning materials in the production trailers and the honeywagon has no-flush urinals.
  • Green tips for crew are placed around the office
  • Awarded 2010 EMA Green Seal for sustainable production practices.

Psych, USA
Produced in Vancouver, British Columbia

  • Drastically reduces the show’s use of plastic by using reusable water bottles and purchasing bulk water for the office, on set and on location.
  • Uses rechargeable batteries, saving hundreds of batteries a year
  • Food waste is sorted for composting
  • Craft Service shops with reusable bags and replaces paper towels with cloth alternatives wherever possible
  • Uses low VOC paints and repurposes unused paints as primers or donates them to local theater groups and schools
  • Awarded 2010 EMA Green Seal for sustainable production practices

30 Rock, NBC
Produced in New York, New York

  • Provides stainless steel reusable water bottles to crew and installed water filters in the offices
  • Uses letter sized call sheets to reduce paper
  • Transitioned their building to non-toxic soaps and cleaners
  • The scenic department tints their own paint, allowing for little to no leftovers
  • Construction has built chandeliers made out of their recycled soda cans
  • Awarded 2010 EMA Green Seal for sustainable production practices

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC
Produced in Los Angeles, California

  • Installed water filters, reducing bottled water consumption and saving over 8,000 plastic water bottles a year
  • Reduced the show’s paper usage by 16 reams a week (or 1 tree a week, adding up to 50 trees every year) by utilizing digital distributions for paper-related materials.
  • Transitioned to rechargeable batteries, which is currently saving 120 batteries a week or 5,400 a year
  • The show has doubled the amount of recycling bins in the office and through awareness is increasing the amount of material recycled
  • Hallway light bulbs have been replaced with energy efficient models
  • Non-toxic soaps are used in the kitchen

Law & Order: Los Angeles, NBC
Produced in Los Angeles, California

  • Utilizes NBC’s Set Rentals program and the Art department and Construction work together to reuse carpet, linoleum, hardware, windows, walls and even complete sets as much as possible
  • Instead of using tapes or film, all footage shot is stored on hard drives, reducing the amount of material used
  • Production office purchases only recycled content paper and envelopes and uses solid ink printers that do not use ink cartridges
  • All untouched food is donated locally in downtown Los Angeles
  • Carpooling is encouraged by providing a designate reserved spot

Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos and Maury Povich, Syndication
Produced in Stamford, Connecticut

  • LED lighting is used in the stage area, reducing energy used for lighting and cooling the stage
  • Both the sets for Maury Povich and Jerry Springer incorporate recycled materials
  • All office refrigerators and freezers are Energy Star
  • Plastic water bottles have been eliminated for staff, replacing them with reusable water bottles and water coolers around the stage.
  • 95% of the light bulbs in the studio have been replaced with energy efficient CFL’s

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, NBC
Produced in New York, New York

  • 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 overhead lighting used wherever possible
  • Metal platforms, rather than wood, for the band stage