Reducing Single-Use Plastic and Waste: Fantasy or Reality at Disney Theme Parks

The tourism industry contributes to and is impacted by plastic waste. The Walt Disney Company (Disney) is one of the largest media and entertainment companies contributing to global travel and waste. Disney theme parks represent a microcosm of society and the conflict between consumerism and environmentalism in the effort to reduce single-use plastic and waste to landfills. Disney has targets to reduce single-use plastic and waste at its wholly owned and operated parks and resorts in France and the United States (U.S.). As a multinational company that operates without a legally binding international agreement on plastic waste, Disney is subject to the plastic policies of each jurisdiction. The policy context in which Disney established its waste targets and the actions taken by Disney to reduce plastic waste in theme parks are discussed in this chapter. Moreover, opportunities to improve waste management practices and shared learning were identified.