United Parks & Resorts' Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives identify ways we are building a purpose-driven company to create experiences that matter and inspire people to protect animals and the wild wonders of the world. The programs showcase the actions we are taking to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in our care, rescue and protect animals in the wild, minimize the environmental impact of our operations and create a strong culture where employees are engaged and connected to the company's mission.
Plastic Reduction
News and studies have shown alarming consequences of the growing threat of plastics to our oceans and wildlife. The Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, estimates that eight million metrics tons of plastics enter the ocean each year, on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons that currently circulate the planet.
We have been at the forefront of animal rescue and ocean conservation for more than five decades as part of our mission to protect animals and habitats worldwide. Our efforts include the reduction of single-use plastics in our parks. In fact, SeaWorld San Antonio was the first theme park to eliminate plastic straws in 2018. Since then, we have removed all single use plastic straws and plastic coffee stir sticks, plastic shopping bags and expanded polystyrene foam products from all 13 of our parks.
We have been at the forefront of animal rescue and ocean conservation for more than five decades as part of our mission to protect animals and habitats worldwide. Our efforts include the reduction of single-use plastics in our parks. In fact, SeaWorld San Antonio was the first theme park to eliminate plastic straws in 2018. Since then, we have removed all single use plastic straws and plastic coffee stir sticks, plastic shopping bags and expanded polystyrene foam products from all 13 of our parks.
Conservation Culinary Sustainable
Our All-Day Souvenir Bottle is made from PET material 
and is designed to be rewashed, reused and recycled by guests.
and is designed to be rewashed, reused and recycled by guests.Renewable Energy
We are continuing to invest in more renewable energy, such as our new solar project at SeaWorld San Antonio, our solar carport system at Sesame Place San Diego, and our solar array at Aquatica San Diego. These solar projects are expected to generate approximately 80 to 90 percent of the parks' energy use.
Reducing Waste and Emissions
We lowered our greenhouse gas emissions by nine percent from 2014 to 2017 and improved recycling of waste materials by more than 50 percent over the same period.
Responsible Food Sourcing
We are committed to providing sustainably and responsibly sourced food and beverages at our parks. Our Responsible Food Sourcing Policy outlines our commitment to partner with food suppliers that deliver products that meet or exceed sustainable, healthy and humane food standards, such as cage-free eggs and coffee sourced from vendors with programs supporting coffee sustainability. Where possible, we also partner with brands and products that share our commitment to giving back to communities, animals and/or our broader environment.
The standards include:
• Our seafood is sourced from organizations that promote environmentally responsible fishing and farming processing, and food safety practices.
• A commitment to source produce from local farms when and where possible.
• Park menus include plant-based options for guests.
• A commitment to sustainably source all coffee served to our guests and ambassadors.
• We have made a commitment to purchase commodity pork cuts from suppliers who have announced a commitment to humane farming practices.
• All eggs, including shell and liquid eggs, are sourced from cage-free chickens.
The standards include:
• Our seafood is sourced from organizations that promote environmentally responsible fishing and farming processing, and food safety practices.
• A commitment to source produce from local farms when and where possible.
• Park menus include plant-based options for guests.
• A commitment to sustainably source all coffee served to our guests and ambassadors.
• We have made a commitment to purchase commodity pork cuts from suppliers who have announced a commitment to humane farming practices.
• All eggs, including shell and liquid eggs, are sourced from cage-free chickens.