¶ … Environmental Policies

Comparing and Contrasting Waste Reduction and Recycling Policies at Universal Studios and the Walt Disney Company

Universal Studios

Universal Studios has worked closely with the California Solid Waste Task Force to create its solid waste management program. The studio's waste management program includes the use of metal scaffolding instead of disposable wood platforms, printing double-sided scripts for all performers, installing a sleep mode on all computers to reduce energy consumption, and grass-cycling and landscape composting (Bernards, 2006).

Regarding recycling, Universal Studios strives to buy recycled and environmentally preferred products and practice environmentally responsible computer and electronic reuse. Finally, residents and tourists who use the public transpiration system, rather than cars are entitled to a discount to the Universal Theme park, to minimize air pollution and smog: "Save $10 on general admission to Universal Studios Hollywood theme park when you Go Metro" ("Go Metro Specials," 2007, LA Metro)

The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company is also committed to waste minimization, although it does not work closely with state environmental agencies like Universal Studios. Disney recycles aluminum and steel, toner cartridges, landscape trimmings, and animal waste. It not only recycles, but unlike Universal Studios it donates electronics, furniture, and office supplies to community organizations, so that the products will be put to good use. Like Universal Studios, the Walt Disney Company is committed to purchasing recycled-content products, and uses packaging materials that can be reused or recycled. It tries to buy in bulk to minimize packaging waste ("Waste Minimization: The Walt Disney Company," 2007, the Walt Disney Company Website). In a unique program that is not present at Universal Studios, the company educates Disney employees both in company policies regarding environmentally sound living and encourages and instructs employees to engage in such practices in their own homes.

Works Cited

Bernards, Kori. (21 Apr 2006). "Film studios maintain healthy recycling rate: Earth Day

Report Shows Studios' Continued Commitment to the Environment." Motion Picture Association of America: Press Release. Retrieved 17 Apr 2007 at http://www.mpaa.org/press_releases/2006_04_21.pdf

Go Metro Specials." (2007). MTA. Retrieved 17 Apr 2007 at http://www.mta.net/riding_metro/special_offer/monthly_specials.htm#P8_776

Waste Minimization: The Walt Disney Company" (2007). The Walt Disney Company

Website. Retrieved 17 Apr 2007 at http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/waste_minimization.html