Lawrence Whiteside is the type of guy who turns trash into treasure! As the Magic Kingdom recycling coordinator, Lawrence ensures that Cast Members pick up recyclables from the 224 recycling containers Backstage, each containing mixed office paper, bottles, and cans. He also coordinates the collection of recyclable toner cartridges, pop-top tabs, and unwanted and unused office supplies and equipment.
The key to Lawrence's success, however, is his innovative approach to promote recycling and re-educate Cast Members on proper recycling procedures. With support from Magic Kingdom leaders, Lawrence partnered with other departments throughout the Park to launch a plastic bottle recycling contest. During the run of the contest, held three times a year, 'mystery walkers' drop plastic bottles containing special coupons into trash cans. Cast Members who find and retrieve these bottles save the coupons to use toward prizes, and subsequently recycle the empty bottle. Since Lawrence began the program, Magic Kingdom Custodial Cast Members have recycled more than 752 tons of soda and water bottles during the contest, substantially increasing recycling rates in the Park.
In addition to his day job, Lawrence supports 23 environmentally related programs and events each year including Earth Day activities, Bay Lake clean-ups, Strive for Five, Cricket's Corner supply exchange, Recycling 101 classes, and a recycling tradeshow for Cast Members and leaders. Lawrence also leads the Magic Kingdom E-Team ("E" for Environmentality), a group who meets monthly to take on environmental projects.
To Lawrence, the success of recycling at the Magic Kingdom as a tribute to Walt Disney's environmental legacy. "Environmentality works. Walt Disney himself supported the environment and alternative ways of using things, and I'm proud to be able to continue that tradition in my own special way," he says.