Our waste reduction strategy is simple: reduce, reuse, recycle.
Source Reduction
Warner Bros.’ waste reduction strategy begins with consuming fewer resources. Warner Home Video was among the leaders in the industry when, in 2007, it switched to 30% post-consumer recycled paper for its DVD packaging and modified its retail displays to reduce materials and increase the proportion of recycled content used in their creation. Beginning with its June 2009 releases, WHV took its waste reduction efforts a step further, diminishing the amount of plastic in DVD cases. This change translates into a 31% reduction in carbon emissions, the equivalent of taking more than 6,000 passenger vehicles off the road.
Warner Bros. Studio Facilities has implemented water efficiency measures that reduce water consumption.
Reuse Programs
Warner Bros. encourages the reuse of everything from water bottles to set construction materials to office supplies. All feature and television productions are encouraged to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles. The Warner Bros. Reuse Room is an internal destination for the delivery and acquisition of surplus office supplies by business divisions and productions. Sets, props and costumes are routinely retained for reuse whenever possible.
If materials can’t be reused on the Studio Lot, Warner Bros. donates them to local schools or nonprofit organizations through our material reuse program, Encore: A Community Reuse Partnership. In 2010, the Studio donated nearly $500,000 dollars worth of materials, ranging from furniture and electronics to clothing and office supplies; the value of reusable materials donated in 2010 reflects a 34% increase over 2009. The most frequently reused resources are office furniture, costumes and set dressings. The reuse of materials helps to conserve natural resources while also aiding our local community partners whose funding sources may be limited.
Recycling Initiatives
In 1989, the Studio created its first recycling committee, comprised of employees committed to waste reduction. Today, our comprehensive recycling program serves as a model for other companies. Materials collected on site for recycling include paper, cardboard, cans and bottles, wood, construction and demolition materials, metal, electronic waste, green waste, film, media, toner cartridges and batteries. These efforts conserve valuable natural resources and also keep over 3,000 tons out of our waste stream annually.