“You’ve probably heard people talk about conservation. Well,
conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us. It’s a science whose principles are written in the oldest code in the world, the laws of nature. The natural resources of our vast continent are not inexhaustible. But if we will use our riches wisely, if we will protect our wildlife and preserve our lakes and streams, these things will last us for generations to come.”
– Walt Disney

These words, spoken more than 40 years ago, provide the beacon today for Environmentality. Environmentality is more than a slogan – it is a way of doing business at Disney, and it means integrating the company’s business needs with its environmental values and concerns. Because Environmentality is a fundamental business ethic, The Walt Disney Company has excelled in environmental achievement.

In 1990, The Walt Disney Company launched its Environmentality program – a dynamic, far-reaching effort that encourages employees to think and act “environ-mentally.” This company-wide effort encourages and rewards those who commit to positive environmental practices at home and on the job. Disney’s senior management is strongly committed to seeing that this philosophy is applied to our businesses and our strategic plans for the future.

Disney has a consistent goal of putting forth efforts beyond compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Environmentality is practiced through purchasing recycled products, minimizing waste, conserving resources, conducting research, being involved in the community and educating employees – all significant activities that contribute to the company’s environmental successes.

Environmentality highlights this past year include:

• Educational Outreach – Jiminy Cricket’s Environmentality Challenge and WOW – Wonderful Outdoor World – together introduced environmental education and consciousness to more than 100,000 young people.

• Recycling and Waste Minimization – More than 40,000 tons of recyclables were collected worldwide from resort guest rooms, theme park on-stage areas, and back-of-house sites.

• Purchasing – Initiatives to purchase more environmentally friendly products and systems benefit the environment and often save money as well. For example, the use of energy-efficient light bulbs and ballasts saves the company millions of dollars annually.

• Community Outreach – More than 900 Disney VoluntEARS donated nearly 4,600 hours to environmental projects worldwide.

• Resource Conservation – Additional initiatives at the Walt Disney World Resort have reduced potable water consumption by 2 billion gallons and energy usage by 12.7 million kilowatt hours.

• Reducing Landfill – Last year, the company gave more than 50 tons of unwanted furniture, old electronics products and miscellaneous materials to some 50 non-profit organizations that reuse them, thus greatly reducing the amount of refuse going to landfills.

Disney has received several major awards in recognition of the success of Environmentality. In 2002, for example, the company received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Waste Wise Partner of the Year Award; was recognized as part of the U.S. EPA Commuter ChoiceSM Leadership Initiative; and won the Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority’s Transportation Partnership Award.