FILM SUPPLIERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

While film and video production is a big booming business, there are relatively few companies that produce the lion's share of the supplies that go into film production. While it would be impossible to launch a production without supporting these corporations, ft might be of some interest to explore the nature of these companies to see who your bedfellows will be.

While film and video production is a big booming business, there are relatively few companies that produce the lion's share of the supplies that go into film production. While it would be impossible to launch a production without supporting these corporations, ft might be of some interest to explore the nature of these companies to see who your bedfellows will be.
WE PHONED EACH OF THE COMPANIES discussed below and asked them what their environmental policies were. While this is only the first step in exploring low impact options in the film world, the expression of concern for these issues will bring about corporate response.

Most of the reports we received speak of company-wide efforts to reduce solvent waste, and some companies report reductions of up to 90% in the last 20 years. They are also dealing with air emissions, ozone chemicals, PCB's, and underground tanks and piping. Of additional concern is paper and material recycling within their own company, and packaging.

AGFA offered us a single sheet explanation of their recycling initiative, directed at photofinishers.

AMPEX: When we called Ampex, the environmental director there said he had never heard from a customer, and was excited that there was interest being expressed on the retail level. They had little material prepared for the consumer, however.

EASTMAN KODAK is a large multi-national corporation which is engaged in research and development not only of photographic supplies, but other chemical-based materials. Kodak provides an extensive package and has a full time environmental advisor. They are the world's largest producer of the plastic used for soft drink bottles (Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET). They have researched and encouraged recycling of PET plastics, and through a process, called methanolysis, have converted PET bottles back to the original chemical building blocks, allowing hew bottles to be made from old ones. This is remarkable, because current plastic recycling technology only generates interior material. While this process is in the experimental stage, it reflects the extent to which Kodak is involved in plastic technologies.

FUJI has extensive literature directed at worker safety in handling and working with chemicals and environmental laws. They have won awards in Japan for a number of their programs, including their packaging being made from recycled cardboard. Their brochures promise to introduce these programs into U.S. and Europe soon.

3M CORPORATION, makers of audio recording tape, office supplies, and pharmaceutical products, have an extensive environmental package. In 1975 they initiated the "3P" program ("Pollution Prevention Pays"), which was a several-point plan to improve the company's environmental policy. The major thrust of their program has been to reduce pollution at the source, rather than focus on cleanup. They stress the good business sense of their efforts, and report a saving of $500 million since the program was initiated.

POLAROID is a Massachusetts based company that makes "instant imaging" products. They publish an environmental report that focuses on company-wide efforts to recycle, reduce air and solvent emissions, and improve the environmental impact of their packaging.

SUMMARY: Most of these companies clearly have environmental programs at the corporate level. In many cases they are responding to environmental regulations; in other cases they are pursuing good business by conserving resources. At the retail level-and the recycling level, however, it seems that few programs are actually being implemented. Call these companies, and express interest in their policies. Say you would like to see more done on the retail level, with packaging and with programs that help individual labs reclaim resources, and recycle materials. Ask your labs and photo stores if they are participating in the programs that do exist. Your inquiries will let companies know the consumer expects more from them.