The theme is green at Universal Orlando

(Nov 7, 2007) This week, a favourite resort park has a theme important to all of us.

From November 5 until 10, Universal Orlando Resort (UOR) is joining its parent company NBC Universal to host “Green Is Universal.”

Green and fun
Universal Orlando’s schedule includes “Eco-Fairs” featuring related information, entertainment and displays; daily events for employees and guests; and giveaways of recycled or other environmentally-themed products.

But its commitment will continue beyond this week. The park announced it will begin using green fuels in all of its service vehicles and mobile equipment. This includes the use of B-20 Biodiesel for diesel-powered vehicles; E-10 Ethanol for all gasoline vehicles and equipment; and E-85 Ethanol for current FlexFuel vehicles.

Universal Orlando is the first theme park to convert to green fuel and will be reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 260 tons annually. In celebration of this historic event, this Friday, November 9, all park guests will arrive in hybrid vehicles.

From the top
“The environmental commitment by Universal Orlando is evolutionary in its approach, and we will implement the critical learning gained along this journey whenever and wherever we can,” said UOR’s President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Davis. “There is a future generation of young people who are counting on today’s adults to make the right decisions where our planet and environment are concerning. Universal Orlando Resort will do its part. We will focus on becoming the greenest resort possible.”

Hollywood joins in
Davis was joined for the opening ceremonies by Wendie Malick (NBC TV’s Just Shoot Me) who has become one of Hollywood’s most proactive voices for sound environmental practices. “Nothing makes one an advocate for the environment like a kid you love. We need to teach by example. Kids are like sponges,” said Malick. “They observe the choices we make, the environments we seek out, the way we treat each other and our planet. I'm very pleased to be here at Universal Orlando with my favorite kid and celebrate the idea of combining amusement and consciousness.”

Green highlights from 2006
Alternative fuel sources are not the only changes being made at the park. They’ve implemented energy conservation and recycling. Some of the highlights include:

Recycling more than 241,880 pounds of used restaurant cooking oils.

Testing ways to use recycled oil as another fuel source within the theme park.

Annual recycling of 886 tons of cardboard from park operations. One ton (2,000 pounds) of recycled cardboard in turn conserves 17 trees so that’s over 15 thousand trees saved along with 6,953 gallons of water, 463 gallons of oil, 587 pounds of air pollution, 3.06 cubic yards of landfill space and 4,077 kilowatt hours of energy

A switch to energy-saving fluorescent lighting and more efficient industrial equipment such as chillers, cooling towers and hydraulic motors.

So the next time you and the kids are riding the Duelling Dragon, taking on Poseidon’s Fury or visiting Spiderman, you'll also be leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint. Who says green can't be fun?

Shelagh McNally is a Montreal based environmental journalist.


Tags: children, green vacations, Universaltag cloud.