In honor of Earth Month, Disney shared how reusability efforts are making Cast Member costumes more environmentally friendly at their U.S. and international Disney Parks.
Creating and Reusing Disney Cast Member Costumes
Disney prioritizes Cast Member comfort with their latest costume designs by using updated fabric technology that’s lightweight, moisture-resistant, and has a strong sun protectant. 20% of all materials used in Cast Member costumes are made with recycled components. Several of these redesigned costumes include various roles and locations across Walt Disney World, including the Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT.
When costumes are no longer in use, components of the clothing are evaluated for recycling, such as rain gear and sneakers. The Cosmetology team at Walt Disney World has also recycled over 1 million bobby pins to date.
At the Tokyo Disney Resort, through the Circulating Smiles initiative, guests can purchase limited-edition merchandise created using retired Cast Member costumes. Patch badges and tote bags were created using materials from Big Thunder Mountain and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters costumes, while pouches were created using fabric from the costumes of Cast Members who worked at the Pooh Corner shop.
Over at Disneyland Paris, costumes that are no longer in use are transformed into felt insulation that is sent to local organizations for future construction projects in the community. Nearly 15 tons of costumes were recycled in 2023 and 2024, which is about 33,000 pieces of costumes.
Recycling Cast Member costumes is just one of the many ways Disney is committed to sustainability. Also part of the Earth Month initiatives, Disney also recently shared how they help pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at conservation care at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
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