Starting today with the Blu-ray release of Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is launching a major initiative to green its Blu-ray and dvd packaging for all future titles. Combining a lot less plastic and more use of recycled paper, Sony joins Warner in setting the bar for all home entertainment companies.
All of Sony’s single-disc standard-definition DVDs will incorporate paper that contains 30% post-consumer waste. Previously, Sony had been using 100% virgin paper. Additionally, ultra-light cases that feature 20% less plastic than Sony’s previous single-disc standard DVDs and will be covered with plastic shrinkwrap that is 20% lighter. The studio set a goal for itself to reduce carbon emissions associated with its DVD manufacturing and distribution by 2 million pounds in North America by the end of this year.
Working with the Asheville, NC based environmental non-profit, Dogwood Alliance, Sony took a deep look at their paper packaging, reviewed their alternatives and implemented changes that will ultimately lead to healthier forests, cleaner drinking water and air, sustainable communities, and strengthen the fight against global climate change. Sony worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the US EPA on examining their carbon footprint and taking action in the supply chain to reduce emissions.
Recycled paper production saves trees, energy and water, produces less pollution, uses more benign chemicals, and requires less bleaching than virgin paper production. It also solves a community disposal problem. Recycling paper and buying recycled is strongly recommended by the US EPA and the broad environmental community.
The Southern US is the largest paper producing region in the world, producing nearly 25% of the world’s paper. The number one paper product originating from the region is paper for packaging. All of that packaging adds up to major destruction in the forests, as on average 300 pounds of packaging waste are generated each year for each person in the United States and 32% of the entire domestic waste stream consists of containers and packaging.
“Southern forests are a critical piece in the fight to end the climate crisis, yet they are being logged every day to create paper and paper packaging,” said Scot Quaranda, Campaign Director at Dogwood Alliance. “We would like to thank Sony Home Entertainment for this important first step on the road to going green. We’ll all laugh a little harder tonight knowing that Paul Blart and future titles come with a green sheen!”
