Disneyland Goes Green with Recycled Merchandise Bags, Apparel, and Trading Pin Packaging

On a recent trip to Disneyland, I was pleasantly surprised to find this popular California tourist destination is moving towards green products and recycling. On my last visit several years ago, I noticed the resort used many plastic bags on an hourly basis so that guests could carry their merchandise to their hotel or car.

Disneyland Going Green with Merchandise Bags

Disneyland is going green! The landfill cluttering plastic bags are gone. In their place, customers have some options. The first option is that all the merchandise bags in Disneyland are now made from 100% recycled plastic. The photo accompanying this article is a close-up of one of the bags that I received on my last visit.

However, I was extremely pleased with Disney's new green challenge when I noticed that each bag also provides a web site giving out information on how guests can further recycle these 100% recycled plastic merchandise bags. In addition to recycling tips, the website provides guests with nearby plastic bag recycling locations. Visit Disney's green merchandise policy to find out more information.

The second option is to purchase, for a nominal fee of about $3 each, a green tote bag. These bags are similar to the ones you find at the grocery store. The bags are dark green and have the classic Mickey head logo made from leaves. The bags are quite sturdy and can hold your Disneyland merchandise. You can then reuse the bags over and over again once you are home.

Disneyland Going Green with Apparel and Other Products

In addition to the new 100% recycled merchandise bags, I found a large selection of quality green apparel items. These t-shirts and hats feature iconic Disney characters such as Mickey, Chip n'Dale and even Kermit-the-Frog. I found green apparel selections for men and women, but I did not get a chance to check for children's sizes. To accessorize your new green Disneyland shirt, you can purchase a larger green tote to carry personnel items.

However, one of my favorite new green Disneyland items is some new pin packaging. Disney collectible trading pins are made from metal and you usually buy them on a plastic card. The plastic card then gets thrown away into a landfill. The new packaging is fun and green: recycled paper with embedded wildflower seeds.

The wildflower seed paper packaging can then be moistened with water and planted in soil to grow. My preschooler loved this packaging and planted the seeds as soon as we returned home.

By switching to green packaging and merchandise, Disney will attract more guests who want these items. I hope the entire company continues this green trend and makes green merchandise and bags a permanent feature in all Disney establishments worldwide.