SeaWorld, Busch Gardens start using biodegradable food containers

Orlando, Florida - This is Earth Week, and two Florida theme parks are introducing “green” supplies in some restaurants and lounges.

SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are converting some of their foodservice containers and tableware supplies to versions made from organic and biodegradable materials.

Busch Entertainment says it plans to eliminate polystyrene foam and petrochemical-based plastic tableware from 21 employee lounges and public restaurants throughout the ten-park chain by the end of this year.

Busch is replacing those plastics with food boxes, bowls, plates and cups made from bamboo or sugarcane fiber, cutlery made from vegetable-based starches and other biodegradable items. That means they'll decompose quickly in typical landfills, instead of hanging on for hundreds of years like products made from petrochemicals.

Earlier this year, Disney World introduced biodegradable straws.