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Is WDW Environmentally conscious or not?

Posted: Jan Sun 18, 2009 7:54 am
by dwellsbct
My specific thought is concerning the message that DAK tries to send with its ban on plastic straws and lids for soft drinks. The message is put forth in DAK but not the other three theme parks. This seems a bit hypocritical to me. I am all for the message and being enviromentally conscious but shouldn't the message be the same in all four parks? I'm curious as to what all of you think. :mickey2:

Posted: Jan Sun 18, 2009 8:33 am
by MadEye
The other parks are not (for lack of a better word) zoos where some idiot can throw a lid or straw into the exhibits.

Posted: Jan Sun 18, 2009 11:22 am
by ericpabear
MadEye is correct. It's because of the animals.(notazoo) Also I don't believe Disney is not enviromentally conscious unless it profits them.

Posted: Jan Sun 18, 2009 7:13 pm
by js3901
basically, to summarize what MadEye and ericpabear said - AK bans the use of plastic straws/lids due to the harm they can cause the animals by clogging up the exhibits (things like water filtration and such). as the other parks don't have those issues with living creatures, they don't follow that practice.

Posted: Jan Sun 18, 2009 7:45 pm
by figmentaholic
I am sure that Disney has some environmentally conscious plans in place- ultimately it is better for them financially because people will want to come to Disney because they are trying to help the environment however they can.

Posted: Jan Sun 18, 2009 8:34 pm
by boilerbabe
On our last trip I noticed outside of the EPCOT gates, they had recycle bins that looked like giant pop bottles. Perhaps people will notice these and be more conscious about recycling. I've always had the impression that Disney is environmentally friendly. Like figmentaholic said, I'm sure it would benefit them financially.

Posted: Jan Sun 18, 2009 10:50 pm
by spodie
I think they are....when it's convenient for them. For example, they got rid of the EMH bands saying that it was more environmentally friendly to do so. True, but the main reason was budget cuts. The actual bands themselves weren't hurting Disney financially, but it was the employees that put them on the guests. Therefore, they are being "environmentally friendly" while saving money at the same time.

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 1:08 am
by Len90
Wow so how do they know who is who during EMH then?

I personally find WDW tries being environmentally friendly when it gives them a benefit. I know they recycle waste water and use it to water the grass on the property and other wastes are used for growing trees in their tree farm. In essence, Disney saves a ton of money on water and on fertilizer and is being environmentally friendly by conserving water.

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 8:10 am
by MW1218
I believe you have to show your resort key when attending EMH now.

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 9:53 am
by js3901
MW1218 wrote:I believe you have to show your resort key when attending EMH now.
you mean you have to pull out the key on each attraction, rather than to get the wristband?

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 10:06 am
by 99Soulz
js3901 wrote:
MW1218 wrote:I believe you have to show your resort key when attending EMH now.
you mean you have to pull out the key on each attraction, rather than to get the wristband?
Yep, the CM at each attraction asks to look at your room key, and each person needs to show it. Some looked closely to make sure they were current keys, others just glanced so an expried key could have gotten you through.

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 10:29 am
by boilerbabe
Yes, the last time we were there (11/08) we did not get wrist bands for EMH, they don't harass you if you're just walking around the park, but if you try to go on a ride and you don't have a roomkey for a WDW resort, you get booted.

Whether they're doing it to cut costs or if it is truly for the environment, I'm glad it's helping the environment.

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 10:36 am
by 99Soulz
boilerbabe wrote:Whether they're doing it to cut costs or if it is truly for the environment, I'm glad it's helping the environment.
I agree, if it's ultimately helping the environment, then I am not going to hold it against them that it's also saving them money. Look at the companies that sell bottled water (Aquifina, Dasani...etc) they have made the bottles with half the amount plastic now and tout "environmentally conscious" but we all know its to help their bottom line.

If it can kill 2 birds (I guess that's not really environmentally conscious is it??) then go for it.

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 11:59 am
by Admiral01
I was at WDW in October 2008 and then again 2 weeks ago. I noticed more recycling bins at EPCOT between 1/5 and 1/10 than I noticed back in Mid October. That could be a good sign. In October I actually walked around with an empty bottle for a good 10 minutes looking for a recycling bin. In 2 weeks ago I didn't have to put any time into finding one...

Posted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 3:08 pm
by agingerbugg
I know a few years back, like ten, at OKW they told us we had to recycle all of our recyclable garbage. I don't know how they enforce it, but they have recycle bins next to the garbage bins. And housekeeping only comes by every three days if you are staying more than one night; purportedly to conserve water on laundry, but it also saves money on housekeepers.