Theaters need to have the right equipment to enable customers to enjoy watching movies in a comfortable environment. For its efforts in cutting wasteful electricity consumption while delivering customer satisfaction, United Cinemas Co., Ltd., an associated company operated by Sumitomo Corporation, was designated as a company qualifying for subsidies under the energy-saving measurement and monitoring project of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2009.

Designated companies receive a subsidy for installing devices that measure energy consumption, the results of which are analyzed by an expert consultant. The company installed such devices in United Cinemas Toshimaen and three other theaters nationwide, and started recording data from October. Weekly data for each type of consumption such as lighting, air-conditioners and ventilators enables the temperature to be finely controlled for each area, thus reducing energy consumption. This used to be difficult with devices that only provided monthly data.

United Cinemas started its energy conservation efforts in 2008, a year that saw the release of many movies on the theme of natural resources and the global environment such as "EARTH" and "WALL・E". Through efforts such as carefully turning the power on and off during closed hours and unplugging equipment when not in use, the company reduced electricity consumption in 2008 by 6% from the previous year, and is set for an 8% reduction in 2009. According to Manager Tayama of the Strategy and Development Department, "In 2010, we are planning to introduce measuring devices in 21 theaters nationwide, aiming to reduce corporate-wide consumption by more than 10%. Energy-saving measures contribute to the environment, reduce the cost of running cinema complexes, and boost the profit of United Cinemas" (figures for 2009 and 2010 are both compared to 2007).

United Cinemas Toshimaen has also introduced a new toilet cleaning system on a trial basis that automatically optimizes the consumption of cleaning water. Manager Tayama noted, "We intend to lead the cinema complex industry by introducing various environmental measures, including LED lighting on a trial basis in 2010."