Blog Articles on Green Is Universal

Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:21:24 -0500

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.

Universal Pictures

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:13:40 -0500

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.

Universal Media Studios/Universal Cable Productions

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:38:44 -0500

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.

Volunteering

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:50:41 -0500

NBC Universal's commitment to bettering the environment starts in our own communities. Through active engagements both domestically and internationally, NBC Universal Volunteers make a significant impact in the areas of education, community development and the environment.

Earth Week 2010
For Earth Week 2010, employees in New York and Los Angeles, as well as Toronto, Sweden, and London, volunteered their time beautifying and restoring parks and recycling books and clothing.

On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, more than 100 NBC Universal New York employees gathered to beautify an area of Central Park in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy. The volunteer project involved scraping and repainting over 300 feet of benches.

Across the country in Los Angeles, more than 60 volunteers helped further NBCU's commitment to restoring Aberdeen Canyon in Griffith Park. NBC Universal announced a $10,000 grant to Los Angeles Conservation Corps to support year-round maintenance of the area.

In the UK, hundreds of London-based employees got involved in Earth Week by recycling books, CDs, DVDs, and clothes at three Green Drop & Swap events. A smaller group of employees spent Earth Day volunteering at the London Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust where they helped to beautify the bird sanctuary and clean-up the grounds.

Jimmy Fallon Goes Green with a New Studio

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:41:00 -0500

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 desk of set designer Leo Yoshimori
● 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

Some photos are below, but why don't you let Jimmy show you around?

Universal Studios

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:29:36 -0500

Universal Studios is committed to supporting sustainable operations on and throughout the Universal Lot.

Janitorial
All sourced paper products are made from 100% recycled materials.

Electrical
Through electrical/HVAC capital and maintenance projects we have reduced our usage by approximately 6,090,000 KWH per year. This equates to 2436 mTons which translates to 488 cars taken off the road annually.

We have replaced energy efficient lighting on three stages and our six-story parking structure. We are continuing to look for opportunities through HVAC to lower our usage.

Water
Through water-wise projects such as installing low-flow flush valves and using reclaimed water we have decreased our water consumption by over 10%.

Natural Gas
With high-efficiency boiler installations we have reduced our natural gas consumption by 3,300,000 cubic feet or 180 mTons.

Solar Power
Since May 2007, the "Solar Farm" at NBC Universal has produced enough energy to power 5000 homes a day.

Recycling
Through all recycling efforts combined, NBC Universal has kept 84% of its waste out of landfills. This equates to 4523 mTons which translates to 2590 cars taken off the road.

Set Lighting Department
Production Services has purchased 120 eco-friendly lighting fixtures. Each fixture has 6 bulbs of 750 watts that produce 30% more light with 25% less power.

Transportation
All production generators have been replaced with new ultra-low emission Cummins powered generators. The new units burn approximately 6-8 gallons of diesel fuel per hour, as opposed to the old plants which burned 10-12 gallons.

All of the new fleet trucks purchased have certified low emission diesel engines with automatic five-minute idle shutdown to further reduce emissions.

Some gasoline powered golf carts have been replaced by electric units. Universal Studios continues to slowly integrate electric carts as new opportunities arise.

Security vehicles have been replaced by Ford Escape Hybrids.

Follow a group of NBC employees as they look for ways to save energy and reduce GHG emissions at Universal Studios.

Set Reuse and Recycling

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:58:04 -0500

NBC Universal recognizes the importance of recycling and repurposing on set and behind the scenes, diverting waste from landfills and reducing its environmental impact.

There are over 24,931 feet of set walls stored at the Universal Media Studios warehouse and over 144 complete sets available for new shows to reuse. So while each season brings with it new pilots and new set designs, NBC Universal relies on reusing materials and giving items a second (or third) life first before building or creating new ones. Here's a by-the-numbers look at our scenery reuse program, and some of our new shows featuring old sets.

By the numbers:
● 1995 marks the date of our oldest set that still continues to be reused today
● 51 sets were reused in the last 12 months on our shows and external productions
● 116 lineal feet of flats makes up an average set
● 5,916 lineal feet of flats were reused in the last 12 months

Look for these sets in upcoming pilots and shows:
● "Parks and Recreation": reused Tidwell's apartment from "Life"
● "Parenthood": reused 439 lineal feet of open stock flats
● "Pink House": reused 'Monk's' apartment and Will's law office from "Will & Grace"
● "Outsourced": reused walls from "Passions" Harmony Church
● "The Cape": reused the train from "My Own Worst Enemy"
● "100 Questions": reused the classroom from "American Dreams", and the internet café, Jack's office, and Will's bedroom from "Will & Grace"

Some of our oldest sets are still being used:
● "Seinfeld" (1990's): prison visitation counter just used on an external production
● "In the House" (1995): courtroom used on "Man of Your Dreams" as a city clerk's office
● "Caroline in the City" (1998): ski lodge used on an external production
● "Sunset Beach" (1997): Richard's living room used as an Olive Garden

Getting Healthy and Going Green

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:00:00 -0500

Here at Green is Universal we're all about taking small steps toward making a huge difference in the world and for the environment. This week is the first-ever Healthy Week at NBC Universal and all across our platforms we will be highlighting the values of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle and the Green team can't think of a better time to offer information and tips on changing your habits for both yourself and the world around you!

Let's get healthy for the earth's sake.

According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death across gender and age lines and the prevalence of childhood obesity is at an all time high as nearly 20% of youth ages 6-19 were identified as obese in 2008. While heart disease and stroke have been leading causes of death throughout time, risk factors such as smoking have been consistently declining over the past 3 decades but the causes of heart disease are more commonly attributed to high blood pressure/hypertension caused by poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity.

Add this on top of the damage we do to our environment everyday with some of the unhealthy and unnatural habits we have developed and we've got ourselves a sob story! But there is hope! There are lots of easy things you can do to stop this cycle of bad health in its tracks and protect yourself and the world's future generations.

Healthy at NBCU Quidget

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:53:49 -0500

A Bid to Save the Earth: NBCU Celeb Highlights

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:07:40 -0500

April 22, 2010 marked not only the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, but the inaugural Christie's Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth. NBC Universal was proud to have been the official media partner of this event.

The live auction event was a huge success, raising over $1.3 million for the four leading conservation partners: NRDC, Oceana, Conservation International and The Central Park Conservancy.

Lots of eco-conscious stars showed up to support the auction. Among them were some of NBC Universal's top talent and executives. Take a look!

Brian Williams
Photo Credit: Adriel Reboh - Patrick McMullen.com

NBCU Volunteers Plant Trees in Griffith Park

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:41:04 -0500

‬‪
In Los Angeles, more than 60 volunteers braved the rainy weather forecast to help further NBCU's commitment to restoring Aberdeen Canyon in Griffith Park. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa along with Universal Pictures Chairman, Adam Fogelson, and Co-Chairman, Donna Langley kicked off the event and NBCU announced a $10,000 grant to Los Angeles Conservation Corps to support year-round maintenance of the area. Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) and Danny Teeson (Dance Your Ass Off) dug holes and planted trees right alongside the experienced Los Angeles Conservation Corps members.

Click 'more' below to see more photos.

NBCU International Celebrates Earth Week

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:33:53 -0500

This year, NBCU's Earth Week was celebrated around the world, with activities in several locations, including London, Sweden, and Toronto. In the UK, hundreds of London-based employees got involved in Earth Week by recycling books, CDs, DVDs, and clothes at three Green Drop & Swap events. Colleagues swapped their unwanted personal items and many departments donated merchandise such as ET toys and Barbie bracelets. Surplus items were donated to local charities, including the local YMCA store, which funds youth workers who mentor under-privileged youths in the London area, and The Passage centre for the homeless, where London employees regularly volunteer their time. Facilities were also provided for employees to recycle old mobile phones, blackberries, and batteries.

A smaller group of employees spent Earth Day volunteering at the London Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust where they helped to beautify the bird sanctuary and clean-up the grounds.

Employees in London volunteering at the London Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust.

NBCU Volunteers Beautify Central Park on Earth Day

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:03:39 -0500

On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, more than 100 NBC Universal employees gathered to beautify an area of Central Park in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy. The volunteer project involved scraping and repainting over 300 feet of benches in an area off of 72nd Street and 5th Avenue.

Lauren Zalaznick, President of Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, NBC Universal, kicked off the morning with welcoming remarks. A vast array of NBC Universal talent also lent a hand in the beautification process including Anne Thompson, Chief Environmental Affairs Correspondent for NBC News, Sara Gore and Jane Hanson of LX New York, and even Bravo's Real Housewives of New York stars Kelly Killoren Bensimon and newest cast member Jennifer Gilbert. The adorable "minions" of Universal Pictures' upcoming film Despicable Me even made an appearance.

Future Earth: Addicted to Power

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Last night, the premiere of the fourth installment of the MSNBC Future Earth Series: Addicted to Power. Sam Waterston narrates as Addicted to Power takes a look at our reliance on energy and how it's affecting our lives.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Picture Your World Photo Contest

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:00:00 -0500

"There's so much beauty surrounding us, I'd hate to be the cause of its extinction..." - Travis T.

"Each day this sweet Earth...feeds, clothes, houses and INSPIRES every one of us. Let's protect our home."-- Christina C.

"I found the love of my life on Earth Day 3 years ago, and this year we are having an eco-friendly wedding."--Mara A.

We all have our reasons for going green--for our family, our children, our pets. Maybe you want other generations to experience the crisp waterfall you swam under in Costa Rica or the calm waters you kayaked in Alaska?

Whatever your reason, share it with others and inspire them to join you in your mission.

iVillage teamed up with Cafepress to help you share why you're doing your part to save the planet in the Picture Your World photo contest. Celebrate Earth Day by submitting a photo, a caption why you're green and you'll receive a free eco tote bag (plus shipping and handling). You could also win an eco vacation to St. Thomas, USVI.

Submit your photo today and share the beauty our world has to offer.