Scrap Metal and Wooden Pallets

The Fact: Disney World recycles over 1 million pounds of scrap metal and 1.5 million pounds of wooden pallets each year.

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Disney Sustainability

Sustainability is the ability to maintain a certain status or process in existing systems. The most frequent use of the term “sustainability” is connected to biological or human systems in the context of ecology. The ability of an ecosystem to function and maintain productivity for a prolonged period is also sustainability. 
 

Living a sustainable lifestyle is one way to help. In this series pages we will go into what sustainability has to with ecology, recycling, water, and more. We will also reveal what some companies (like Petsmart and Disney) are doing to make a difference by operating their businesses in a sustainable way.

Disney Sustainability / Walt Disney Cares

Walt Disney, the largest media and entertainment company in the world, has shown great commitment for the environment. It strives hard to conserve the environment from its ill effects. Disney has been included in Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies (G100) list announced at the World Economic Forum (WEF) from 2007 to 2009. Enormous concrete steps are being taken by the Corporation to ensure sustainability, as mentioned below.

Disney Sustainability / Cutting Emissions

The foremost step is that Disney plans to cut carbon emissions by half by 2012, reduce electricity consumption by 10 percent, reduce fuel use, halve the garbage at its parks and resorts by 2013, and ultimately achieve net zero direct greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has designated eleven resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort as Florida Green Lodging certified

Disney Sustainability / Recycling and More

Next, The Disney Harvest program founded in 1998, distributes nearly 50,000 pounds of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank each month by collecting food which is prepared and not served from restaurants and convention centers.

Used cooking oil at the Walt Disney World Resort is recycled into bio fuel and other products, which are used by local companies.  Food scraps are combined with horticulture clippings and leftovers from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and other degradable items to create compost which is used locally as rich fertilizer.

The Walt Disney Company Healthy Cleaning Policy has been launched this year with the aim to minimize the environmental impact of its cleaning products, including their toxicity. It is made possible by using chemicals that both protect health and embody desirable environmental properties. A further goal is to minimize the amount of chemicals needed to accomplish cleaning tasks.

Disney's Hydroponic Approach to Gardening is another giant step in this direction. This space-saving agricultural approach allows crops to be grown in areas where they can't be grown by traditional methods. Foods grown hydroponically have the same nutritional value and flavor as those grown in more traditional ways.

The majority of props, vases and containers used by the Disney floral team for events are made from reusable glass and plastic. Many of Disney’s floral suppliers have received the "VeriFlora" seal of approval, which certifies that the flowers have been grown without harmful chemicals.

Furthermore, there is a concentrated focus on monitoring energy and water use throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Because of its extensive efforts, the Walt Disney World Resort has received the EPA’s “Energy Star Partner” designation.

Every day, 10 million gallons of wastewater is reclaimed and used in irrigation systems and other applications. Recycling is a major part of waste management and more than 18,000 tons of materials are recycled every year.

Disney Sustainability / Preserving Our Wildlife

Disney made a stupendous contribution to the wildlife conservation habitat by setting aside more than one-third of the planned resort/theme park property (8,700 acres) during the time Walt Disney World Resort was being built. The Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is focused on educating Guests on the importance of conservation and preserving nature.

As part of those efforts, the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund enables Guests to contribute to the protection of endangered species worldwide through 650 projects from 160 organizations in more than 100 countries. Over $11 million has been earned through the fund since the park’s opening in 1998.

Disney Sustainability / Trees For Everyone!

Adding another feather to its cap, Disney committed to plant a tree for everyone who sees their nature movie titled “Earth” on opening weekend from 22nd – 28th April, 2009. With more than 5, 00,000 tickets sold so far, half a million new trees are already committed.

Disney’s aim is to plant trees in critical areas of biodiversity. The company will supervise the planting of the trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, which is considered one of the most endangered rain forests in the world at present.

Finally, Disney’s 2008 Corporate Responsibility Report is a major step in the direction of conservation of the environment. The long-term environmental goals outlined in the report are:

1. Zero waste
2. Zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions from fuels
3. Reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption
4. Net positive impact on ecosystems
5. Minimize water use
6. Minimize product footprint
7. Inform, empower and activate positive action for the environment.

Therefore, Disney has set high standards when it comes to protection of environment. The interminable efforts being made for the cause of environment truly makes Disney stand apart in the crowd sending a strong conservation message.