LIONSGATE(R) (NYSE:LGF) , the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, today announced an initiative to package many of the Company's DVD releases in environmentally friendly materials. The first "Green" release under this initiative will be WEEDS: SEASON THREE, which is scheduled to hit stores June 3, it was announced today by Lionsgate President and co-Chief Operating Officer Steve Beeks. The company will announce other "Green" titles throughout the year.
"We are committed to extending our reputation for industry leadership and innovation into the critically important area of environmental awareness," said Beeks. "We recognize the importance of helping the environment and have been identifying ways to do this while preserving the quality consumers have been accustomed to receiving with our DVD releases and other product. We look forward to becoming more environmentally friendly with all of our content going forward -- the release of WEEDS: SEASON THREE is just the beginning of Lionsgate's 'Green' initiative."
Beeks also noted that Lionsgate's record label will be adopting environmentally friendly packaging for the WEEDS limited edition soundtrack CD scheduled for release on June 17. The Company is evaluating other environmentally friendly options throughout its filmed entertainment operations, including the development of standards for benchmarking the success of various environmental initiatives and cost-benefit analyses of diverse programs designed to promote environmental friendliness.
The trays on all environmentally-friendly DVDs from Lionsgate will be made of 100 percent recycled materials and each tray can be recycled. In addition, the paper used for the DVD packaging will be made from 100 percent recycled fibers and is recyclable and compostable.
By utilizing 100 percent recycled water bottles diverted from landfills for the trays on the company's initial production run of WEEDS: SEASON THREE, 500,000 water bottles will be prevented from ending up in a landfill. In addition, manufacturing the recycled tray utilizes less than 10 percent of the total energy required to make a new Amaray case.
