Trends: Theme Parks Go Green

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Families at Florida theme parks this summer may notice some subtle changes this year. The places known for thrills and chills are going green.

It's a trend catching on at many theme parks including Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Orlando and Disney World.

The race to be eco-friendly goes further than recycling bins.

At Busch Gardens Tampa some of the restaurants are using biodegradable dinnerware. It disintegrates in under 4 months.

Some parks are trying to save trees. "Instead of using lumber we use a product called trex which is composite material made up of recyclable products," says Donnie Mills, GM of Busch Gardens Tampa.

Many of the favored roller coasters are real soakers. And they take thousands of gallons of water to run these water rides. Now many of the rides are on recycle systems to reuse the water.

In another an effort to save water at Busch Gardens, many of the decorative foundations have been filled in.

For the parks that have animals they are finding ways to be extra green.

In many cases they use the animal waste for composts.

Plus, Busch Gardens crews are feeding their animals fish from sustainable sources.

All of these changes are proving living green can be quite a thrill.