Warner Bros. Entertainment has received a 2005 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in the Sustainable Practices or Facilities category for its remodel of an office building following the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Standard for Commercial Interiors (LEED™ CI). The Award is the state of California’s highest environmental honor.
Warner Bros. Entertainment participated in the LEED™ CI pilot program to unite under one roof a multitude of environmental elements which have been integrated within its Burbank facilities for years, including energy efficiency, environmentally preferred construction materials, recycling, the use of non-toxic materials for good indoor air quality, and environmental education. The building received the LEED™ Silver rating and is the first of its kind in the entertainment industry.
The 56,000-square-foot building houses nearly 150 employees from the Warner Bros. International Television Distribution division. More than 80% of the building’s construction and demolition waste—including wood, metals, drywall, carpet, glass and cardboard—was recycled and diverted from landfills. Recycled-content materials were used in construction, and data collected over the last year shows that the building is 33% more energy efficient than it was prior to the remodel, saving more than $75,000 annually in utility costs. Additionally, the building’s design contributes to its occupants’ comfort and well-being, increasing productivity and reducing building maintenance.
“With the tremendous growth in our state and elsewhere, we must encourage progressive design practices and technologies that address global climate change, reduce our consumption of energy, water, and other natural resources, and provide healthier environments in which to live and work,” said Alan C. Lloyd, Ph.D., secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “It’s better for our economy, better for our people, and better for our planet. It is significant that a company such as Warner Bros. Entertainment is integrating sustainable practices into its everyday operations and demonstrating that green building is a smart business direction that any industry can pursue.”
“Warner Bros. Entertainment consistently seeks ways in which we can minimize our impact on natural resources while maintaining our role as a leader in the entertainment industry,” said Shelley Billik, vice president of environmental initiatives, Warner Bros. Entertainment. “The company’s focus on sustainability supports our triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic concerns, demonstrating that these are good business decisions. We are truly proud that this building reflects all of these components, and we hope to inspire other businesses to follow suit.”
The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award program recognizes Californians and California-based organizations and businesses that demonstrate outstanding environmental leadership by voluntarily working to conserve precious resources or improve the environment. The Sustainable Practices or Facilities category is designed to recognize pioneering efforts to integrate conservation of natural resources into long-term decision making and management of businesses and facilities.
This accolade marks the second time the company has received this prestigious award. In 2001, Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Entertainment, received a Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in the Sustainable Practices category in recognition of its recycling and waste reduction programs.
