Did you know that thousands of costumes worn by cast and employees at Disney Parks and Experiences around the world, from cruise ships to high-speed coasters, are made from recycled plastics? I love learning all about Disney’s commitment to environmental sustainability, something we call Disney Planet Possible, and I’m excited to share some of the impressive recycling and upcycling initiatives taking place around the world! If you’re as passionate as I am about taking action to use and waste less, then you’re in for a treat!
Incredibly, many of the beautiful stage costumes used in Disney Wish’s theatrical adaptation of “Disney The Little Mermaid” were made from recycled plastic. In fact, more than 60% of all fabrics used in the production were made from plastic debris – some of which was recovered right from the ocean! The fabrics were melted into threads that were woven into material emulating fine silk, chiffon and cotton. The process used a waterless printing method, which saved tens of thousands of gallons of water compared to traditional dyeing processes. In addition to the show’s costumes and set pieces, Disney Cruise Line has replaced costumes of crew members at locations like deck bars and Cabanas with fabrics made from recycled water bottles. Read more and see a bit of the behind-the-scenes action in this blog post.
Uniquely sustainable costumes have also been designed for cast members and employees across Walt Disney World Resort. If you’ve had the chance to ride the all-new TRON Lightcycle / Run roller coaster at Magic Kingdom Park, you may have noticed the themed costumes worn by cast members. These costumes are actually made from recycled polyester. But that’s not all! Over at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, 70% of each costume’s base fabric is made from recycled materials, and the metal buttons are made from 75% recycled metals. Food and beverage teams at Walt Disney World wear aprons made from 100% recycled materials, and even the new PhotoPass Green costumes are made from recycled materials!
Costumes can be made from recycled materials, but they can also be the recycled materials themselves! Special edition lines of merchandise available to guests at Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris were actually created using a technique called upcycling. At Tokyo Disney Resort, the “Circulating Smiles” collection featured adorable tote bags, backpacks and more made from the upcycled fabric of cast member costumes. Last year, Disneyland Paris debuted a line of trendy tote bags, duffel bags, briefcases and pouches, all made using repurposed materials from the tarp used during Sleeping Beauty Castle’s renovations.
We’re celebrating the spirit of Disney Planet Possible through an ongoing commitment to creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all this Earth Month and beyond!