(131a) Disney Tour Background

This presentation will be given by Disney and will give the background required for the tour that immediately follows this event.

Did you know that The Walt Disney Company has recycled more than 650,000 tons of materials since 1990? Read on to find more fun facts about Disney's EnvironmentalityTM.

In 2003, Cast Members and employees throughout the United States partnered with nonprofit organizations to donate 527 tons of reusable materials. Also in 2003, animal manure ranked third among recycled commodities for The Walt Disney Company, totaling more than 8,000 tons. Since 1995, the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund has presented more than $6 million to organizations around the world. In 2003, Disney VoluntEARS around the world participated in more than 1,050 projects, contributing more than 400,000 community service hours. During the past seven years, water-saving initiatives at the Walt Disney World® Resort have saved nearly 2.5 billion gallons of water. Writers for the comedy series "According to Jim" reduced paper scripts by approximately 300,000 sheets of paper per year, utilizing wireless PC tablets. Completion of the EPA Green Lights Program Enough conserved enough energy to power Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park during the opening year. If every household in Florida used ENERGY STAR qualified cooling products, the annual energy savings would be enough to power the Walt Disney World Resort for eight years. Food grease that the Walt Disney World® Resort recycles is used in products such as flavoring for animal feed, polishes, soaps, paints and varnishes, and lipstick. More than 8,000 acres of property at the Walt Disney World® Resort are designated as a permanent wildlife conservation area and will never be developed. In December 1992, The Walt Disney Company purchased 8,500 acres southeast of the Walt Disney World® Resort. Formerly called the Walker Ranch and now known as the Disney Wilderness Preserve, this area is managed by the Nature Conservancy, which will restore the land to its natural state. During the 2003 refurbishment of the Crystal Palace restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort, traditional acrylic panels in three domes were replaced with low-emittance panels that suppress radiant heat flow. In addition, double-glazed windows and doors with tempered insulating glass were installed. The unique glaze on this glass consists of multiple layers filled with argon and is dual-sealed, creating an additional barrier. These new glass panels are nearly twice as energy efficient as the original units. Disney's Enviroport 2003 is printed on 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper that is also process chlorine free. The paper, paper mill, and printer are all certified by The Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests. Disney's Enviroport 2003 is produced in a totally enclosed printing facility that results in nearly zero volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.