Disney and Earth Day

Disney's 60-Year Pledge to Environment Continues

With an environmental legacy that spans more than 60 years, The Walt Disney Company&reg is dedicated to preserving the planet for future generations. Building on this legacy, Disney recently announced long-term environmental goals to reduce emissions, waste, electricity and fuel use, as well as the company's impact on water and ecosystems. The Company is committed to minimizing its overall impact on the environment while encouraging and activating environmentally responsible behavior on the part of Cast Members and employees, guests and business associates throughout the world. This edition of MouseMail highlights some of the many ways Walt Disney World&reg Resort celebrates the environment on Earth Day and throughout the year.

Environmental Initiatives Impact Bottom Line

Conserving resources isn't just good for the environment, it's good for business. In fact, numerous Walt Disney World environmental initiatives are making an impact on the bottom line. For example, modifications to the company's linen washing process is saving 29 million gallons of water each year - enough to fill the aquarium at The Seas with Nemo and Friends six times. Similarly, the replacement of 194,000 incandescent light bulbs with more efficient lighting in resort hotels is saving 26 million kilowatt hours annually, enough to power 1,450 homes. Walt Disney World Resort also is reducing food waste by distributing approximately 700,000 pounds of excess prepared food through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Florida's Fifth Graders Show Green Spirit

Encouraging all Florida fifth-graders to protect the environment, Disney's Environmentality Challengerecognizes students who show why it is "cool to care" about the planet. Judging is currently underway for the statewide competition, which honors class projects that demonstrate a significant commitment to conservation. Last year, a class from Tradewinds Elementary School in Coconut Creek was recognized for its efforts to help fund and support a water conservation project in South Africa. Now in its 11th year,Disney's Environmentality Challenge is a partnership between Walt Disney World Resort and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Since the program's inception, more than 120,000 fifth-grade students have participated.

Merchandise Locations Offer New Eco-Friendly Products

Throughout April, additional eco-friendly products have debuted at merchandise locations across Walt Disney World Resort. Examples of some of the new products include pencils made of recycled plastic, denim and currency; pens made from recycled tires; plush toys and t-shirts made from organic cotton; organic canvas bags; and colorful Eco-Mochila totes made from discarded plastic shopping bags. Guests can also find other unique merchandise, such as recycled candy wrapper bags, t-shirts made from coke bottles and baskets made from telephone wire. A new line of plush called “Tales 4 Tomorrow” can also be found at Disney Outfitters inDisney's Animal Kingdom, where five percent of the proceeds from each purchase are donated to Conservation International.

I love working at a place where they work so hard to help the environment. Everyday I walk past recycling binds, conservation boards, and there is a whole park dedicated in the promotion of awareness for the Earth we live on and importance to keep protecting it for ourselves. Disney is a great place for a hippie like me to work at.