Disney's Environmental Efforts

Missing20K

Missing20K

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Another thread got me thinking, and I wondered what others, thoughts, opinions, and knowledge on the subject. I know Disney has the monorail, and buses, but those are more for transportation sake than for environmental issues. Earlier Discovery Island, and now AK, are obviously environmentally geared, but my question is how much Disney does in terms of alternative energy, increasing energy efficiencies, recycling, etc.

I would think they could save themselves lots of money ala Wal-mart, (I know they are the devil) when they began to install solar panels on their stores, as well as huge skylights, automatic florescent lights, etc., which they did because they realized it would save the company money over the long haul.

Does anyone have any information regarding Disney's efforts in these areas? Do they use natural gas for transportation? Have they looked into it? What about biofuels or hybrids? Vegetable oil? I would think they have lots of leftover frying oil. Besides Universe of Energy at Epcot, are solar panels in use elsewhere on property? I'm pretty sure they do all their own wastewater treatment, but what about wetland reconstruction, natural filtration, brownwater reuse, runoff, etc.?

Any and all information welcome. :wave:
 
Captain Hank

Captain Hank

Well-Known Member
There are a few things I know of for sure--

--The Disneyland railroad and Disneyland parking trams both use biofuels.
--Many lighting systems are being switched over to LED and compact fluorescent when possible.
--There is a constant WDW property-wide effort to reduce power usage by a certain percentage each year.
--Much of the trash generated by guests is recycled, regardless of whether or not it's placed in a recycling bin.
--Horticulture irrigation is done with reclaimed water.
--All shopping bags are now 100% recycled material.

Solar panels are used here and there, but aren't terribly widespread. Wastewater treatment is, in fact, done on-site. I've heard rumblings of switching buses over to biofuel or hybrid systems, but I'm not sure of whether it was just a rumor or not.

Wander around the following websites for more info:
http://www.rcid.org/index.cfm
http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/index.html
 
rsoxguy

rsoxguy

Well-Known Member
I have made one observation on this topic. A year or two ago we headed back to our hotel after a day at EPCOT. We had watched the ecology film with The Lion King characters at the Land Pavilion that day. At one point in the film they show two girls riding their bikes while being engulfed in smoke and dust. The point of the film is that we are filthy humans and we must stop destroying the Earth. That same evening I observed a Disney bus spewing out an enormous cloud of exhaust that reached to the sidewalk where innocent tourists were standing. Wacky.
 
Missing20K

Missing20K

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Captain Hank said:
There are a few things I know of for sure--

--The Disneyland railroad and Disneyland parking trams both use biofuels.
--Many lighting systems are being switched over to LED and compact fluorescent when possible.
--There is a constant WDW property-wide effort to reduce power usage by a certain percentage each year.
--Much of the trash generated by guests is recycled, regardless of whether or not it's placed in a recycling bin.
--Horticulture irrigation is done with reclaimed water.
--All shopping bags are now 100% recycled material.

Solar panels are used here and there, but aren't terribly widespread. Wastewater treatment is, in fact, done on-site. I've heard rumblings of switching buses over to biofuel or hybrid systems, but I'm not sure of whether it was just a rumor or not.

Wander around the following websites for more info:
http://www.rcid.org/index.cfm
http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/index.html
Click to expand...

Very interesting, thanks for all the info.
 
G

gatormike99

New Member
Jasonflz said:
Funny thing, this thread. I was wondering about the Indy Speedway and all of the gas the cars give off and burn.
Click to expand...
They've done something, but I'm not sure what. It defintely doesn't smell of exhaust like it used to back when that was the only way I could get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Or maybe the fact that I was actually driving boosted my 5-year-old senses.

Last trip I asked a driver of a transport bus about their use of SVO instead of diesel. According to him (and they keep their bus drivers pretty well-informed, I've found) is that the parks were indeed collecting their used veggie oil from the fry-o-lators on property and processing it for use in the buses. The benefit? When the bus blows past you it smells like fries!
 
CaptJacksFamily

CaptJacksFamily

Member
There was a report on the local SoCal news that about half of the Disneyland railroad would be supplied by Bio diesel recycle from the parks fry stations.

We were told on the behind the scenes tour at the MK that all trash at WDW is separated by hand. They only put recycle bins out at the AKL because guest expected to see them there.
 
Captain Hank

Captain Hank

Well-Known Member
CaptJacksFamily said:
There was a report on the local SoCal news that about half of the Disneyland railroad would be supplied by Bio diesel recycle from the parks fry stations.

We were told on the behind the scenes tour at the MK that all trash at WDW is separated by hand. They only put recycle bins out at the AKL because guest expected to see them there.
Click to expand...
True about the separation of all trash by hand. The recycling bins (which are in every park and resort) don't necessarily need to be there, but they do cut down on the labor required. Oddly enough, I don't believe The Land actually has any recycling bins, which has caused some somewhat distressed Guests, particularly ones who had recently exited Circle of Life. They feel a little bit better once I explain that all trash is sorted through, though.
 
JarretttheGuy

JarretttheGuy

Member
don't forget about paper straws instead of plastic.

having the option to not change your sheets/towels everyday so that you save H2O consumption.

those are on the top of my head
 
Missing20K

Missing20K

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
JarretttheGuy said:
don't forget about paper straws instead of plastic.

having the option to not change your sheets/towels everyday so that you save H2O consumption.

those are on the top of my head
Click to expand...

I thought the paper straws were because of the animals possibly getting hold of them and eating them, not necessarily for "green" concerns.

But I forgot about the sheets/towels thing. Although, it could probably be argued it's more about Disney saving on laundry detergent, labor, and water reclamation/filtration costs, than for "saving the Earth."

Nevertheless, you are correct in that they are both environmentally friendly initiatives, regardless of motive. Thanks!
 
Missing20K

Missing20K

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Captain Hank said:
Nope, the test vehicle isn't identifiable as such.
Click to expand...

I'm sort of surprised it's not. I would think it could be a positive marketing tool. Could open people's eyes to the idea who may not have heard of it, or been exposed much to the technology. Not too mention it could spark children's curiosity when they see one car painted differently. You could even post placards in the queue explaining the car and it's "guts."

Nice to see they mark the hybrid security vehicles though.

Thanks for the info also!
 

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