You may have heard how Disney is taking action to protect the planet through Disney Planet Possible, a year-round global initiative to reduce our environmental footprint, protect wildlife and create stories that inspire action. Here at Disneyland Resort, we are dedicated to reducing food waste, diverting more than 5 million pounds of food from landfills annually since establishing the food scraps program in 2013, and currently donating 2,000 pounds of food per month to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

In fact, Disneyland Resort has recently been recognized for its efforts with the 2020 Regional Food Recovery Challenge Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the 2021 SEAL Business Sustainability Award for food waste reduction. Below are the exciting ways that we high-
lighted sustainability throughout Earth Month and tips on how you can help us “Zero in on Zero Waste” throughout the year!

1. The Environmental Art Challenge at Disney California Adventure Park

Cast member teams throughout Disneyland Resort used their ingenuity and created art pieces from repurposed materials such as old tree stumps, newspapers, and cardboard for this year’s Environmental Art Challenge. From April 1–30, guests had the opportunity to vote for their favorite art piece at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail inside Disney California Adventure park. All teams were honored at a special Earth Day celebration, and winners will be announced soon!

2. Use Reusable Utensils

As you enjoy our eats and treats at the resort, use reusable utensils to help save on waste! Bring some from home or purchase at select food and beverage locations throughout the resort.

3. Reduce Food Waste By Separating it From Trash

Disneyland Resort recognizes the impacts of food waste on people and planet. Uneaten food that ends up in the landfill is a waste of the resources it took to produce, prepare and deliver those meals. The Disneyland Resort has taken numerous steps to reduce food waste at every step in our operations. Now guests can help by utilizing the new themed lineup of waste cans, which includes a new food scraps bin. If there are leftovers (fries, burger buns, orange peels, etc.), throw them in one of the dedicated food scraps bins. The resort takes those scraps and converts them into a usable material to avoid sending them to a landfill where they produce harmful emissions. You can help give those nutrients a second life as we strive to protect our planet.

DISNEY AMBASSADORS MARK AND NATALY CELEBRATE WITH 2022 ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM OF THE YEAR, ONSTAGE FOOD RECOVERY GALACTIC GRILL AND WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING.

4. Earth Month Activities at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

During Earth Month, guests at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort joined in on family-friendly crafts and education activities. The Disneyland Resort horticulture team hosted a “Beneficial Garden Insects Show & Tell” showcasing a variety of different predatory insects used in plant health programs such as green lacewings, mealybug destroyer beetles, and composting worms! Guests also had the opportunity to learn about topiary creation and decorated their own reusable utensil pouches to take home.

5. Earth Day Celebration on April 22,2022

Disneyland Resort celebrated Earth Day by honoring the Environmental Art Challenge contestants; the 2022 Environmental Team of the Year, Onstage Food Recovery Galactic Grill and Walt Disney Imagineering; 2022 Environmental Champion of the Year, Rhonda Wood from the Horticulture team; and 2020 Environmental Team of the Year, Disneyland Resort Chefs! Rhonda established a program that gives new life to historical trees at the Disneyland Resort by repurposing them into artwork such as the front desk at Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Walt Disney Imagineering partnered with Galactic Grill to create the new lineup of trash receptacles that includes food scraps bins for guests to use.

Thanks to these continued efforts, Disneyland Resort is moving toward its goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030! Follow along on social media by sharing what gives you hope for the future of the planet by using #DisneyPlanetPossible.

(The news and editorial staff were not involved in the preparation of this article sponsored by an advertiser)