Eco-Opportunity Emmys

This year, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Fox network and everybody else involved in the production of the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards have joined together to make the event as green as it can be.

The Green with Emmy campaign encompasses all major Television Academy and Fox events, including the Primetime Emmy nominations announcement ceremony, the 59th Primetime Emmys arrivals and telecast, the Creative Arts Emmys, the Governors balls, and the Fox Primetime Emmy Awards after-party. The goal: to reduce the carbon footprint the Primetime Emmys have on the world’s climate.

The event program is printed on recycled paper provided by Mohawk Fine Papers. It was made with 15% post-consumer waste, using emission-free, wind-generated electricity.

Our printer, Ventura Printing, is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an international standards-establishing network committed to promoting responsible forest management, slowing global damage to forests and advocating environmental responsibility.

Ventura printed this year’s Primetime Emmys program with linseed oil–based inks, as opposed to petroleum-based inks, on a waterless printing system that virtually eliminates ozone-destroying, volatile organic compounds from the process. In the process, 505,155 BTUs of energy were not consumed and 261 pounds of air emissions were not generated.

Most every other piece of paper used for this year’s Emmys—including invitations, tickets, posters, press materials, menus and office paper—was also supplied by Mohawk. All was manufactured with wind power, and most from 100% recycled material.

That means 124 trees were preserved, 88,400,000 BTUs of energy were not consumed, 6,001 pounds of air emissions were not generated and 11,549 pounds of net greenhouse gases were prevented.

Here’s some of the green breakdown:

The Awards

•The Shrine Auditorium will use clean “Green Power” generated from 100% renewable resources provided by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. This zero-emission electricity is part of the City of L.A.’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by obtaining 20% of its energy from renewable resources by 2010.

•The stage sets are reusable rentals; the carpeting on stage and backstage is made from recycled plastic bottles.

•Biofuel generators, which use organic oils such as soybean or canola, are being used as backup during the production of the show.

•Empire Limo is providing Hybrid and Flexfuel vehicles to transport talent to the Awards.

•Lighting on and off stage has been reduced by 15 percent.

•Glass, plastic, metal and paper recycling bins are located throughout the Awards site.

•Scripts were printed on paper using 30% post-consumer recycled fiber.

•Backstage, and in the press tent, products by makeup artist Napoleon Perdis will available for touch-ups. PETA approved Napoleon Perdis uses such all-natural products as organic beeswax in his Long Black Mascara, to chamomile and yarrow extract in his Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer.

The Governors Ball

•Most of the flowers used as decoration are potted plants and will be reused.

•Flowers that are not potted will be donated to local hospitals.

•The tables and chairs are rented and outfitted with reusable linens and napkins.

•All vegetables and produce are organic; all meats are free-range.

•Beaulieu Vineyard wine and Grey Goose Vodka have arranged for all of their bottles to be collected and recycled after the event.

•All other glass, plastic and paper items will also be recycled after the event.

•Dove® Chocolate’s exclusive parting gift is packaged in a reusable “picture frame” box.

•Leftover food will be donated to the Midnight Mission.

The Architectural Digest Green Room

•The wood-paneled English library staging was built from repurposed wood, using discarded bleachers from a Huntington Beach–area high school.

•The three-arrow table was built using recycled steel.

•The fabrics are all natural fibers: cotton, wool, silk, linen.

•The 100% wool carpet was secured to the floor with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) glue.

•The furniture was treated with 100% natural waxes; no stains with chemicals were used.

•Many of the furnishings are antiques.