Eco-Friendly at Disney!

5 years ago, I participated in a challenge called 48 Days of Blue which gave a list of small changes to make in your daily routine to be more eco-friendly.  The number 48 comes from the number of days between Earth Day and World Oceans Day!  That's where I first learned how even a small change like not using a plastic straw could make a big impact!

🌍🌎🌏

Some of the easiest challenges I found were using a tote or cloth bag when shopping, using cloth napkins, bringing my own cup to cafes, and packing my own lunch.  This challenge has made me take some more time to think about my everyday choices!  If I'm planning on going to a restaurant, I try to remember to bring a container so if I have leftovers, I can pack them myself and not waste plastic or styrofoam to-go boxes!

2 of my favorite Disney Parks reusable cups! (Stainless steel straw is my own)

I'm so happy to see big companies making some changes to their practices and products, like Marshalls selling biodegradable toothbrushes, and Publix Supermarkets selling a set of 6 reusable metal straws and cleaner for $5.99.  When I visited the Florida Aquarium on World Oceans Day, I noticed they are now selling a wide variety of eco-friendly products, like Bee's Wrap (beeswax and cloth alternative to plastic wrap), reusable water bottles and lunch containers, 4oceans bracelets (one bracelet sold = 1 pound of plastic removed from the ocean), socks made from recycled plastic water bottles, and reusable straws!  Which made me wonder...  where is Disney on this eco-trend?

Maybe they're already doing an awesome job of stocking eco-friendly products (I've seen reusable water bottles and cups that come with washable straws, like those pictured above), but I haven't seen much else!  And with a park solely dedicated to animals, I'm surprised that the only eco-conscious thing I've witnessed so far was the decision not to stock plastic straws (they have paper now) or sell balloons.

This Halloween milkshake is from Magic Kingdom and THEY used a big old paper straw, too!

Disney, as a company, has been eco-conscious on a larger scope for some time, as you can see from their conservation fund efforts (click there to see the field of solar panels in a Mickey-head shape you can drive past on your way to the parks)!

I donated a dollar to the conservation fund back in 2008 and got this pin!

One big and exciting new offer at the parks is the line of reusable shopping bags exclusive to each park (and Disney Springs) in 3 different sizes each!

This is the big bag!  I had to stretch my arm out to get this photo! 😆

Another huge change is the makeover to Disney hotel showers--no longer do they have single-use plastic bottles of shampoo/conditioner (as cute as they were, with the tiny Mickey ears.. I've kept many from my visits in the past so I'm not too upset 😉), opting instead for pump-bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash attached to the wall so you can't throw it out!  This saves so much plastic!!

Don't try to take these bottles home!

What I would LOVE to see are more eco-friendly products being offered... with Disney themes!  How about some bamboo cutlery with Mickey heads cut out of, or branded into, the handles?  What about Animal Kingdom bamboo toothbrushes?  Bee's Wrap with Mickey heads printed on them, or princesses, or Zootopia characters?  Please let me know if these products exist somewhere!!

In the meantime, here are some easy ways to be eco-conscious at the parks!

My bamboo fork was perfect for my Italian dish at Flower & Garden!

1. Bring your own cutlery, especially during festivals!  My parents got me a set of bamboo utensils for Christmas, in a carrying case made from recycled water bottles and a carabiner clip.  It came in so handy at the Flower & Garden Festival this year so I wasn't tossing a set of plastic cutlery at every booth!

2. Bring your own reusable water bottle!  I wasn't sure if we could bring our own into the parks--I know you can't have an opened water bottle going through airport security--but my friend was visiting me and brought her own and they were totally fine with it! (Of course, you probably won't want to refill it with that Disney water fountain water 🙈--try asking nicely for refills at Starbucks and quick-service restaurants!  They might have to give you a cup, but it's better than a plastic water bottle!)

3. Bring your own bag! I bring a backpack on my trips anyway, so this one was a no-brainer!

Of course my list is all bringing your own stuff, but you can purchase reusable totes and adorable cups and mugs at the parks!  Starbucks has many drink container options.

Some Epcot drink container options!  You can be eco-friendly AND fashionable!

I'm such a big Disney fan, but I also care about the choices I make for the environment.  I'd love to see Disney using their brand to encourage the purchase of more sustainable, eco-friendly products to take home and to use again in the parks!