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Zero Waste at Disney

City of Glendale Zero Waste WorkshopSeptember 27, 2010

Marialyce PedersenSenior Research & Content Development Representative

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Disney environmental and animal Disney environmental and animal stewardship history dates back to stewardship history dates back to Walt Disney himself in the 1940s-Walt Disney himself in the 1940s-50s, well before current era of 50s, well before current era of corporate responsibility. corporate responsibility.

– True Life AdventuresTrue Life Adventures– Smokey the Bear forest fire Smokey the Bear forest fire

prevention campaignsprevention campaigns– Mass transportation Mass transportation

(Monorail)(Monorail)– Early “eco-village”: EPCOTEarly “eco-village”: EPCOT

Disney Environmental Beginnings

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CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY TODAYDisney Corporate Responsibility team formed, 2007Disney Corporate Responsibility team formed, 2007

Companywide Environmental Council established, 2007Companywide Environmental Council established, 2007

• Develops internal and external sustainability strategyDevelops internal and external sustainability strategy• Sets and tracks goals and medium-term targetsSets and tracks goals and medium-term targets• Guides policy and program developmentGuides policy and program development• Manages international labor relationsManages international labor relations• Oversees corporate givingOversees corporate giving

Disney’s first annual CR Report was published (on-line only) in March 2009• Interim update with progress against targets published in Spring

2010

In March 2009, Disney published its first greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of all facilities from 2006• Disney has since completed inventories for 2007, 2008 and 2009• $7 million Climate Solutions Fund investment in forestry

conservation, $1.5 million investment in emissions credits

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• Zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions• Reduce indirect greenhouse gases from electricity

consumption• Zero waste• Net positive impact on ecosystems• Minimize water use• Minimize product footprint• Inform, empower and activate employees, business

partners and consumers to take positive action for the environment

Disney Aspirational Goals, 2008

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Zero WasteZero WasteNo discard left unexamined for repurposing!No discard left unexamined for repurposing!

The term “zero waste” is both pragmatic and visionary, and suggests that the entire concept of waste be eliminated by emulating sustainable natural cycles, whereby all discarded materials are resources for use by others.

Zero waste is defined as eliminating discards entirely where possible through waste prevention initiatives, and diverting at least 90% of discarded materials away from landfills (and incinerators), pursuing the most efficient processing of those materials, via reuse, recycling, composting or other technologies.

“If you’re not for zero waste, how much waste are you for?”

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Economics of SustainabilityEconomics of Sustainability

Mind the hierarchy!Mind the hierarchy!D

ifficult/M

ore Sustainable Easiest/Least Sustainable

MAXIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT

SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT

SOME ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT

NO ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT

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Economics of Sustainability Economics of Sustainability Sample avoided disposal and recycling savingsSample avoided disposal and recycling savings

ITEM/ACTIVITY

Reuse/ donation

tons

Recycling tons

Collection + disposal

costs/ton*

Less processing

costs

Estimated savings

Food Bank 4.5 $77 None $346

Grasscycling 12,000 $77 None $924,000

Bottles and cans

10 $200 <$1,000> $1,000

Furniture donations

300 $200 <$12,000> $48,000

Based on US EPA data that average US trash collection and disposal costs are $70 to $200 per ton.

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Driving Cast Member InvolvementDriving Cast Member Involvement

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Don’t Talk Trash: Recycle!Don’t Talk Trash: Recycle! Recycle cans, bottles, paper, cardboard, cell phones, Recycle cans, bottles, paper, cardboard, cell phones, electronics, electronic media (DVD, CD), landscape waste and construction electronics, electronic media (DVD, CD), landscape waste and construction debris.debris.

Reduce & Refill! Reduce & Refill! Eliminate individual plastic water bottle use in backstage Eliminate individual plastic water bottle use in backstage operations and offices.operations and offices.

Double Up! Double Up! Print and make copies using both sides of the page.Print and make copies using both sides of the page.

Branch Out! Branch Out! Use a minimum of 30% recycled-content paper for everyday printing Use a minimum of 30% recycled-content paper for everyday printing and copying. and copying.

Take a Power Break! Take a Power Break! Turn off unnecessary lights.Turn off unnecessary lights.

Be a Low-Rider! Be a Low-Rider! Minimize driving alone during work hours by using Minimize driving alone during work hours by using environmentally friendly options such as teleconference, videoconference, environmentally friendly options such as teleconference, videoconference, carpools and public transit.carpools and public transit.

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Venue: Request that the meeting or event venue complete and return an environmental assessment checklist in advance of planning.

Education: Educate staff, exhibitors and attendees to ensure participation in environmental initiatives that are in place at the event or meeting.

Communication: Avoid printing materials and disseminate information electronically via email or a designated website.

Product: When promotional products are necessary, choose recycled-content or reusable options. As an attendee, accept only giveaways that you will use.

Recycling: Provide highly visible recycling bins. As an attendee, look for opportunities to recycle.

Food and Beverage: Request that food and beverages be served in bulk containers (e.g. condiments). Do not pre-pour beverages; offer pitchers or individual servings.

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Achieving high event diversion

Three-way collection: trash, recycling AND compost!

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Company Travel: Minimize business travel by conducting virtual meetings whenever possible.

Ground Transportation: When commuting on business trips, choose one of the following alternatives:

Mass transit or shuttle-service

Carpool or shared taxi

Hybrid or low-emission rental or car service

Lodging: Choose Disney-preferred lodging that is closest in proximity to your business destination

Hotel Room Practices: During your stay, turn off unnecessary lights, electronics, and air conditioning; reuse linens and towels; and recycle.

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Reduce: Take only the napkins, condiments, and other disposable items that you will actually use.

Reuse: Choose reusable food ware when dining at a commissary or in your break room, where available.

Recycle and Compost: Sort your waste into the appropriate containers, including recycling, composting and trash, where available.

Food Waste: Reduce food waste through careful consideration of your servings when choosing or ordering meals and snacks. 

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Measuring Results: Quarterly Impact ReportsMeasuring Results: Quarterly Impact Reports

• Emissions (GHGs)Emissions (GHGs)• Electricity useElectricity use• WasteWaste• Green Standard:Green Standard:

– AwarenessAwareness– Water bottle usageWater bottle usage– Office paper use (virgin v. recycled) Office paper use (virgin v. recycled) – Business travelBusiness travel– Average vehicle ridership (ridesharing) ratesAverage vehicle ridership (ridesharing) rates

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Top 10 Recycled Materials, 2009

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External recognition for sustainability efforts

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Marialyce PedersenSenior Research & Content Development Representative

Corporate Environmental Affairs818/567-5096

Marialyce.pedersen@disney.com

http://disney.go.com/crreport/home.html