SeaWorld has eliminated polystyrene foam dinnerware from all its parks

Eating at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment attractions is now a little more environmentally friendly, because the chain has eliminated non-biodegradable polystyrene foam dinnerware — including bowls, plates and trays — from all of its parks, and replaced them with products using 100% recycled materials.

SeaWorld polystyrene foam dinnerware — *SeaWorld has ditched polystyrene foam dinnerware at all 12 of its parks.*

With millions of meals served in SeaWorld’s 12 parks each year, the removal of polystyrene foam products, which are not biodegradable, helps keep 14 million items out of local landfills and the ocean ecosystem.

According to Andrew Ngo, corporate vice president, In-park revenue, “This change allows us to save an estimated 14 million pieces of polystyrene foam dinnerware which is resistant to decomposition and difficult to recycle, from entering the environment each year. Reducing our environmental footprint is an important part of our mission, and this achievement is another step toward becoming greater stewards of our oceans, their animals and our planet.”

SeaWorld first eliminated polystyrene foam at SeaWorld San Diego in 2013. The company joins other organizations and cities around the U.S. that are similarly exploring or have banned polystyrene foam, including Hawaii’s Maui County, which banned polystyrene foam food and beverage containers late last year, New York City’s ban, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2019, and St. Petersburg, Florida, which voted on a polystyrene foam ban in December 2018.

The announcement comes less than a year after the company removed all single-use plastic straws and plastic coffee stirrers from its parks, following its removal of single-use plastic shopping bags starting in 2013. The company has also invested in projects to reduce its energy and water use and the amount of waste it generates, including planting drought resistant landscaping, LED lighting and the instillation of solar panels at its Aquatica San Diego park.

For more information about SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, visit SeaWorldEntertainment.com and watch these videos:

Final Blue Horizons dolphin show at SeaWorld Orlando