Sunlyte, who launched the Sunlyte Certified Carbon Free manufacturing service in January of this year, is partnering with Langenhagen, Germany-based EDC and shorewood.blueprint, based in Middlesex, UK, to form the Sunlyte Alliance.

The Sunlyte Alliance wants to set the benchmark for sustainability in media by offering the entertainment industry certified Carbon-free CD and DVD discs made from 100% recycled materials including polycarbonate discs, paperboard jackets and recycled PET Sunlyte trays.

The Alliance says it will achieve “drastic carbon footprint reduction through design and proprietary manufacturing processes and will further reduces a package's environmental footprint through efficient shipping, distribution, and retailing.”

EDC supplies discs made of 100% recycled carbonate derived from old and surplus discs that are recycled using a proprietary process that removes all metal, lacquers and inks, then grinds, filters and re-extrudes the waste material into an optically-pure disc.

As for Shorewood.blueprint, it contributes a printed outer digi to house the Sunlyte Tray, made from 100% recycled paperboard using “the most environmentally responsible vegetable based inks and coatings.” This production process is overseen by FSC certification and ISO 9001 and 1264-7 standards.

For its part, Sunlyte supplies the lightweight Sunlyte Tray, made from 100% recycled plastic beverage bottles, and manages carbon accounting and the CarbonFree Product Certification.

"From design to distribution to disposal, Sunlyte Alliance accounts for the carbon costs associated with the manufacturing of CD and DVD discs, all printed materials and packaging, even the shrink wrap, and shipping to distribution," said Paul Gelardi, Sunlyte LLC CEO and Founder. "We have performed the most extensive carbon footprint analysis of media packaging to validate our carbon free certification."

For example, a packaged Sunlyte Certified CD weighs 49% less than a standard CD package, resulting in significant shipping and carbon footprint savings. Such packaged discs adhere to sustainability guidelines of Wal-Mart, the Recording Association of America and the National Association of Recording Merchandisers.

Sunlyte says it seeks print, replication and distribution partners who share its carbon-free mission. There are no fees to become a licensed partner, but requirements include a commitment to provide carbon footprint data and a commitment to work for continuing reductions.

Story filed 14.09.11