If the Florida Tower looked different to you on a recent trip, it might not be you – the Tower got a new “green” paint job! In December 2010, extensive scaffolding was raised around the Tower of Terror’s 199 foot tall exterior.
Photo credit: studioscentral.com
Photo credit: wdwmagic.com
In the five months that followed, the Tower’s surface was stripped bare and completely repainted with low volatile organic compound (low VOC) paint. The new paint job is a part of Disney’s ongoing, parks-wide effort to reduce VOC emissions through the use of more environmentally friendly paints. The attraction remained open for business during the work.
Photo credit: wdwmagic.com
If that sounds inconsequential, consider how much paint Disney uses in a year – usually about 6,000 gallons a year per park, or 110,000 gallons in total, with touchups applied nightly and completely new coats applied regularly.
Disney considers itself a worldwide leader in the adoption of low VOC paint and is proud of its contributions to the good stewardship of the planet. Switching to low-VOC paint for the 110,000 gallons Disney uses annually decreased Disney’s VOC emissions by 2/3rds in just two years. Fewer emissions means less ozone and air pollution for everyone, so let’s hear it for the newly painted Tower!