We are all climbing up the same mountain

We are all climbing the same mountain

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Film Biz Recycling (FBR) is not the only game in town as far as "greening up" the Biz. Not even close. What is interesting, however, is how insular their efforts are. This business is one that plays with cards held close to the chest. So, if I may use a metaphor, lots of people are embarking from different sides up a tall mountain, not being able to see one another or even be aware of another presence or efforts. It is our hope that Film Biz Recycling is the common thread that tethers one effort to the other, so our strengths are multiplied and we reach the top together.

LeNoble Lumber - main supplier of lumber to the industry, is getting FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council). This does NOT mean that all their lumber is renewable. It does mean they will sell certified wood. It might cost 20-25% more as far as this industry is concerned. Pay it. Luan - get the primed luan that only comes in 10' sheets. It comes from a FSC certified company. It's something. I personally think if you can rent a flat, do it. LeNoble is an on-board company that knows the environmental issues and cares. We will continue to work together to find suitable solutions for all of us.


Unions - Local 52 and 829 - both union presidents are happy to talk and meet and it seems 52 has some fantastic ideas. Sorry to report the meeting with 52 and city leaders was canceled and has yet to be rescheduled, but from what I can tell they also are aware that systemic changes are nigh and want solutions that sustain the environment and their members. I meet with 829 president Beverly Miller tomorrow. The union positions in another letter another day.

Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) - have already started putting together a list of guidelines for production companies. What they thought would be a simple task is not turning out so easy. Film Biz Recycling will be working with them to assist in anyway possible. We made suggestions, broke down the phases of productions and shared some stories. A big "green push" from agencies and clients is on the horizon. Recently, an agency required the production to recycle cans and bottles. It's FBR's stance that recycling beverage containers is nowhere near enough to call yourself green. We need to standardize green practices in all phases of production for example, a industry-wide call for paperless pre-pro books, bio-based craft service utensils and plates, FSC certified building materials and a PA dedicated to recycling and proper disposal - we give a new meaning to the term "green PA".

Additionally, these new practices need to be paid for by the client or ad agency in a new and necessary GREEN LINE. Even $500-2,000 a spot could make the difference in greenhouse gasses and landfill tonnage (the two go hand in hand, really).

Showman Fabricators - Showman Fabricators is starting up a new program to take back the sets they build for clients. Their staff and workers (they are Local 4)will break it up into components and reuse if possible. Bravo.

The Producer's Guild of America (PGA) - has begun, with Eartmark.net, to host a series of events in New York to bring the environmental issues to the industry's attention while providing a forum for industry leaders to ask questions and learn in a comfortable setting. The first was about Bio-Diesel, the next is about Recycling. Eva Radke will be speaking. No firm date has been set.

New York Women Film and Television (NYWIFT) - has also begun to collect ideas and stories about going green in the film business. This month we will meet with them to take this deep seated environmantal concerns and turn them into standard practices.

As you can see, it's happening all over. Strong voices are coming together and it's making a difference.

Hollywood Recycles - they pick up cans and bottles for free.

Of course they have to drive around and pick it all up...

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Providing a simple solution to stop wasteful habits on set, California's Hollywood Recycles offers free delivery and pick-up services of recycling containers during film production. The Office Coordinator for the MTV Movie Awards commented on their use of Hollywood Recycles: "The entertainment industry is definitely a place that needs recycling. It's sad to see trash bins overflowing with bottles and cans that should be recycled. It's nice to have a service like Hollywood Recycles that will take care of all of that for free. It makes my boss happy because it doesn't need budget approval and it benefits us as well as the environment."

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luan - it's not just me that thinks we need to stop using it.

The Environmental Media Association (EMA) is soliciting your support in reversing the wide-spread industry use of rapidly vanishing rainforests woods, known as Lauan, commonly used in studio productions. The Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia have already been significantly deforested due to the demand for tropical plywood. Now, by all accounts, the ancient forests in Indonesia -- from which most of our industry's sets are built -- will be gone by the end of the decade.

The demand for timber is driving unsustainable and illegal logging around the world, fueling a rate of deforestation unprecedented in Earth's history. During the past 20 years, on a global level, we lose an acre of rainforest every second of every hour of every day. Not only do these forests act as the lungs of the planet, but are our link to crucial biodiversity.

We can all make a tremendous statement by joining forces and sending a message that we care enough about the future of the planet to slow the trend of global degradation.

Committee Chair, Hart Bochner has worked with EMA to gather a list of directors who pledge to help reduce the use of the tropical plywood Lauan, in favor of available, environmentally responsible and cost-effective alternatives.

We're asking you to join our pledge on your next project as well as garner the support of your producers and art departments. Please contact EMA for a list of materials & suppliers.

So far, the following directors have made this commitment:


Jon Avnet
Hart Bochner
Rob Bowman
Jeremiah Chechik
Danny DeVito
Dennis Dugan
Roland Emmerich
Paul Haggis
Marshall Herskovitz
Rod Holcomb
Todd Holland
Peter Horton

Michael Lehmann
Jonathan Mostow
Edward Norton
Gary Ross
David O. Russell
Mikael Salomon
Betty Thomas
Jon Turtletaub
Bo Welch
Harry Winer
David Zucker
Ed Zwick

MDF is a MF.

Well, it's on just about every sub-flooring set I ever was on.......ever notice the carps are the only one wearing a mask?


Medium-density fiber board (MDF) became a common woodworking material in the 1980s. But studies of its toxic properties are changing the way it is used.

WHAT IS MDF? Most MDF is made of wood fibers derived from defibrated (ground) wood chips or other cellulosic materials and urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde resins. MDF is commonly composed of 85-100% softwood (e.g., pine), and 0-15% hardwood (e.g., beech, oak). Most MDF contains 8-18% urea formaldehyde resin, which is 2-3 times more resin than normal particle board.

As a result, MDF releases more formaldehyde than particle board or plywood because it contains more formaldehyde resins.

CALIFORNIA RULES ON MDF. On March 7, 2008, the California Air Resources Board filed a rulemaking aimed at reducing formaldehyde emissions from wood products by 60%. The order will be phased in starting in 2009 and will be fully implemented by 2012. The 2012 rules would virtually eliminate the addition of formaldehyde-containing adhesives during manufacture of composition products for finished goods.

The new rule sets emissions standards that are applicable to hardwood plywood, particle board and MDF that is sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured for sale in California as ‘finished goods.” Finished goods are defined to include any new or unused product such as kitchen cabinets, shelving, countertops and ready-to-assemble furniture.

The California rule does not apply to composite wood panels or the raw materials. All indications are that production of formaldehyde-containing raw materials probably will cease because there will be no major markets for the formaldehyde resin products by 2012.

The law is aimed at protecting consumers of finished goods in their homes and businesses, not the carpenters who build the furniture, although it is the carpenter who is at greatest risk from formaldehyde exposure.

WHY REGULATE FORMALDEHYDE? In support of the new California rule, state regulated and public health groups cited studies linking formaldehyde to workplace asthma, increased cases of asthma and allergies in children exposed at home, and cancer.

In 2004, the International Agency for Research on Cancer formally linked formaldehyde to throat cancer in humans. Other agencies that consider formaldehyde a carcinogen include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Toxicology Program, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the various European health agencies. It is generally accepted that formaldehyde is a carcinogen.

STUDIES OF WORKERS. Dust generated by machining MDF is known to cause eye, nose, throat and skin irritation. In one 1991 Swedish study, 94% of the workers machining MDF complained of nasal irritation.1

Then in 2004, a Finnish study compared data from 3 small furniture factories that used beech hardwood MDF with data from two factories that used mainly natural wood (birch and pine).2 Eye, nose, throat, and skin symptoms were common in both exposed groups, but the MDF group had significantly more nasal and eye symptoms than the natural wood dust groups.

The authors of the Finnish study also noted that, unlike wood dust, the fine MDF dust particles are inhaled into the respiratory tract and release formaldehyde directly to the tissues there. The authors suggest that the occupational limits for both the dust and the formaldehyde gas should be tightened.

It is also notable that these studies were done in Scandinavian countries. There don’t appear to be a lot of studies here in the United States. Searching the internet for studies also is confusing. Some of the earlier studies say formaldehyde is not a problem until you look at the outdated standards they used to determine “safe” formaldehyde levels. Many papers which look like studies are actually promotional material from manufacturers.

WORKPLACE REGULATIONS. There are already OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs) and ACGIH threshold limit values (TLVs) which limit the amount of formaldehyde which should be in the air in the workplace.

The Federal OSHA standards are the highest levels allowed in the Western World and generally considered unprotective. The other standards (see table) are all better for workers. In order to comply with any of these standards, employers must test the workplace air repeatedly to insure the levels are within the limits. This doesn’t usually happen in our business.

AGENCY- STANDARD 8 hour limit (ppm)* ceiling limit ** (ppm)*
OSHA - PEL 0.75
ACGIH - TLV 0.3
NIOSH - REL 0.016
EUROPEAN - MAK 0.3
* ppm = parts per million ** instantaneous limit not to be exceeded at any time


If employers or designers insist on using MDF, then formaldehyde-free MDF can be purchased at a somewhat higher cost (e.g., Medex and Medite II3 made with polyurea resin). Due to the fact that workers have clearly observed that all types of MDF release more and finer dusts during machining than other wood products, employers must provide an OSHA-compliant respiratory protection program with medical certification, fit-testing and training and provide local exhaust dust control.

FOOTNOTES

1. Holmström, M., et. al.: Symptoms, Airway physiology and histology of workers exposed to medium-density fiber board. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health 17:409-413 (1991)

2. Eero Priha, et. al.: Exposure to and Acute Effects of Medium-Density Fiber Board Dust. Jour. Occup. & Envir. Hygiene, 1:738-744 (2004)

3. Google “Medite Corporation.”

GREAT first week at Build it Green

It's been a great first week at Build it Green. Four Feature Films, "Motherhood", "The Rebound", Untitled Nicole Holofcener Project, "The Messenger" and several commercials...Dell Computers, Project Runway, all donated....and many individuals too! Thanks to all. I could weep.

As soon as we sort a box two more show up. It's fantastic. I have my work cut out for me! But they are beautiful things. I've sold 800 dollars worth of stuff so far - I have to split that with BIG! but that's fine. Space is a premium and they have been enormously helpful and just a bunch of great guys. Except for the lunch thing, HARVEY!

I'm sorting into things to sell and things to save for the prop house. The Prop house will have things like, Grandma's House, Everybody lives in a Loft in NYC, Wedding, Ikea, Crate and Barrel, Background Props, Lighting, Bathroom and Kitchen......all on the website. I've gotten it started, but need to get through all the boxes before I set up the rentals department.

The bad news is, I'm on a forced vacation for two weeks. My son's daycare has a two week summer break and we're hitting 3 cities in 2 weeks with a toddler.

My point being, donations will have to be LABELED "FBR" or "FILM BIZ RECYCLING" or else they will just be absorbed into Build it Green and I don't receive the funds. Supporting Build it Green is fantastic, but I do want to buy a DIESEL mini cube and get recycling going in offices, oh, maybe HIRE SOMEONE! I need a permanent assistant, but that requires more than a big hug and a deep felt thank you.

A low budget feature film came in and we're going to help them with rentals and expendables. Mark at Expendables Plus gave me a bunch of partials and foam core.

Keep it coming! NO dumpsters!

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Buy them here!

The Kids are Alright....

Why do I love New York City so? 

 Because of schools like the Earth School. Here's their newsletter. It's just wonderful! 

 The Green Pages An Earth School Publication, June 2008, Issue 2 Earth School Wins 2 Awards!!! The Earth School was awarded a Golden Apple Award and a Golden Shovel Trophy (totaling $4000) by the Department of Sanitation for our work in reducing waste and composting. We submitted a binder describing our efforts to reduce waste in our community. The Plastics Project, our schoolwide composting, Patrice's Tee-Bags, our Earth Studies and Community Health programs, and classroom efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle were some of the items that were documented. Congratulations to everyone!!! 

We did it together! In the Garden The Garden Committee meets on Friday half-days at drop off. At our April meeting, the Committee planned the May work day to carry out some of the maintenance and improvement projects that have been in the works for some time. One was to install reed fencing on the inside of the chain link fence. The attractive reed fence covering will cut down on litter that blows into the garden as well providing more shade to cafeteria and classroom. Another project was the repair and upgrade of our irrigation system. Shalu's class worked with the Committee gardeners to plant lots of vegetable and flower seedlings that were donated by the Trust for Public Land. Thanks to all who participated and to the PA for their support!! Alternative Transportation Study? The third graders have been considering greener forms of transportation. They have imagined cars of the future that take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, water-fueled cars, and cars that run on potatoes! They also turned their efforts to designing "Puff Mobiles"— miniature cars that move by blowing on them! Let the races begin! "No bag, please!" a Huge Success By working together to reduce our use of disposable plastic shopping bags, the Earth School Community was able to save over 3000 bags from entering the waste stream!!! 

When one young person said, "No bag, please" at a nearby store, the cashier was overheard commenting, "Oh, they must be from The Earth School." To celebrate our success, we have adopted a sea turtle. We are awaiting news on the newest reptile in our family!! Stay tuned and keep up the good work! Green Cooking C.O.W. Club Third graders joined Abbe for some "green cooking." In a lesson on seasonal foods, the kids made sautéed fiddlehead ferns and rhubarb compote. Mmmm…. 

 Free Advice After their study of global warming, here's what the 4th and 5th graders recommend: • Recycle and Reuse • Don't litter! • Use less electricity. • Eat real food! • Work with your hands! • Use heat and AC only when you really need it. • Turn off lights when you leave the room. • Don't waste paper. Use the other side. • Use a cloth bag instead of plastic. • Plant more trees. • Ride your bike to school or work. • Things we don't need: plastic water and juice bottles, plastic toys and containers, and plastic bags. • Less driving! • Turn off tv, computer, heaters, etc. when you are done using them. • Bring metal spoons instead of using school "sporks." • Unplug electrical appliances when not in use. • Use a warm sweater instead of turning up the heat. • Instead of tv news, read a newspaper. • Replace your light bulbs with fluorescent. Free Subscriptions!! For your free subscription, to send in an article or news item, or to opt out of this email, email Abbe at abbe@lookhereproductions.com.