Image: istockphoto.com/Alan Hettinger
First anniversary of green
For their 50th awards program, the Recording Academy decided to enact first annual greening plan! With guidance from the brilliant Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and partners like the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) and the Staples Center, the Grammys greatly reduced its environmental impact.
Green on all fronts
It started with first greening the pre-production and moved into the event itself. Using renewable energy, choosing recycled paper, driving hybrids cars and even serving organic food were just a few of the methods used to reduce this carbon footprint.
The green procurements and implementations meant this year’s Grammy Awards Week emitted 1,100 less tons of carbon dioxide than last year.
Partners and mentors
The LADWP, already servicing over 20,000 businesses and homes, donated one month’s supply of wind power, powering the Staples Centre with green energy. The NRDC devised a plan to use only recycled paper for all the events programs, invitations, and other printing needs. Even the famous envelope. They also helped the Recording Academy increase energy efficiency of the production, get the best offsetting for those emissions that couldn’t be reduced and get a handle on waste management.
From cars to china
GM helped out by bringing in over 100 greener vehicles including many Chevy Tahoe hybrids and other Tahoes running on E-85 (85 percent corn ethanol). These vehicles handled everything from running the production to bringing the stars to the red carpet.
Celebrity chef, Wolgang Puck, created a menu served on reusable china. Even the food for the crew avoided using styrofoam and plastic, reducing the waste created by a significant amount.
Eco-goodies included
Of course it wouldn’t be an awards show if there wasn’t schwag, but this year the goodies were enviro-friendly. Green With Music created a green retreat for artists and presenters where they had organic snacks and teas and other green spa services. Green bags of goodies-to-go included clothing from wheatware, the recycle-chic of Unico, and Natural High organic yoga wear.
Musicians leading the way
Yesterday in an interview this week for Business Wire, Neil Portnow CEO discussed his enthusiasm for integrating environmentally intelligent practices into every aspect of the week’s activities: "'Going Green' is an extension of our mission to positively impact the lives of musicians, industry members, and society-at-large, and we are committed to doing our part to make our world healthier and help combat the threat of global warming."
Find out more
The entire scope of their greening initiative can be viewed by clicking here. Looks the Green Grammys will go platinum.
Lee Schnaiberg is an environmental consultant who has helped green big name festivals such as Bonnaroo, Osheaga and New York City's River to River festival.
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