Can I love Disney and Be Green?

This has been quite the debate in my mind for quite some time.  I lean toward green (obviously), but I also love one of the most commercial organizations there is, Disney.  And I've always been like this.  Recently, the dichotomy of my two loves has been getting to me.

On our last couple trips to Disney we haven't bought all that much, and for the Jolly Green Mommy it's been organic t-shirts and reusable bags that fold that small and can be attached to the diaper bag.  

But still...  I had problems finding common ground between my two loves.  So how have I made these two parts of me mesh.


1. You recycle at Disney whether you realize it or not.


Disney hotels now supply you with bags to recycle your newspapers and plastic bottles, but that's not what I'm talking about.  How do I know that everyone at Disney recycles?  A cast member told me!  Last December when we went to see the hotels for the holidays JGD got us on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise.  (This was awesome!)  When we got off the boat, I asked one of the cast members if there was a recycling bin so I could recycle my water bottle.  I was told that Disney sorts the trash to separate the recyclables from the garbage.  

Now, I know that Disney still produces a large amount of trash, but they do what they can to lessen it by sorting through the trash to reduce the waste.


2. Disney Friends for Change: Project Green


How can I not love anything that encourages kids to get involved and help.  And help go green.  This is great for kids who do not live in a house where being green is important.  These kids need exposure from the outside to show them the importance of taking care of the world they live in.  This is a great thing for Disney to do.  And I give kudos to the Disney stars who decided that this was important enough for them to get involved too!


3. Disney's Planet Challenge

This is a competition for 4-6th grade classrooms.  They are looking for projects that give students the push to change things in their area for the better in an effort to improve the environment in "their own backyard."


Again, I love the fact that this get students and children involved.  They are the future, and it is up to them to makes these positive changes so that they can have a happy and healthy world to live in.


4. Oceans


Not only is Disney putting this movie out there for everyone to see, but they are going to establish a new protected area for everyone who sees the movie between April 22-28th.  


I also know that when you take part in Disney DiveQuest or Seas Aqua Tour, Disney takes part of your payment and donates it to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.


This one I know because JGD had the opportunity to Dive in the Living Seas when he did DiveQuest.  Which could only be described as awesome!

5. Living with the Land


Now, as a child, I hated this ride.  I thought it was boring and would do anything I could to get out of riding it.  On our past couple trips, I have been looking forward to this ride to see what Disney is growing in their "living laboratories."  I love learning about the new techniques that are being used for agriculture around the world


6.  That's not all!


I know that this is only the starting point of what Disney does to help the environment.  To see more of what they do go to

• Disney Public Affairs - Conservation Intiatives
• What does Walt Disney World Resort do to help the environment?
• Merchandise Bags

I do want to mention that I realize that there is more that Disney can continue to change.  Their buses could run on electricity, natural gas, E85 or hybrid energy.  Hopefully, we'll see this change one day in the not too distant future.  Then again, there is more that I can in my home.  Including replacing our current cars with hybrids....  (one day!)