DENVER ― April 15 ― To enhance its commitment to building an empowered community that loves, understands, and protects our natural world, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has eliminated single-use plastic.
As a steward of the natural world, the Museum has been committed to landfill diversion for years and is continuing to increase the amount diverted with new sustainability programs. The Museum has most recently replaced plastic beverage bottles. Infinitely recyclable aluminum cans and compostable cups made of 100 percent plant-based materials are available for beverages. The Museum now composts all eating utensils, straws, napkins, plates, condiment cups, salad containers, and food waste.
“Everything that touches food or beverages we prepare at the Museum is compostable,” said Patrick Hartnett, the Museum’s food and beverage director. “It takes plastics hundreds of years to decompose, and we felt this was an immediate step we could take to continue our commitment to protecting the natural world.”
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, the Museum is pleased to announce its new sustainability partnership with Ball Corporation. One aspect of the partnership is an in-kind donation of 200,000 infinitely recyclable aluminum bottles of water for use at Museum special events and meetings and for distribution to guests on SCFD Community Free Days and Nights. Additionally, the Museum will be distributing the aluminum bottles for free prior to screenings of Disneynature’s new film “Penguins,” which will run from April 17-28.
“We are excited to expand our relationship with the Museum and have aluminum cans and bottles featured as part of this new sustainability initiative,” said Chris Chavez, Ball’s global director of corporate citizenship. “Our donated bottles feature important messages about the infinite recyclability of aluminum and also enable the Museum to convey its brand and values to guests at special events.”
Environmentally conscious consumers are increasingly aware of the impact packaging has on the environment and are looking to institutions, brands and industries to deliver more sustainable options.
In 2018, the Museum diverted more than 105 tons of materials from landfills:
- 53 tons of single-stream materials
- 7 tons of glass
- 7 tons of scrap metal
- 2 tons of electronics
- 11 tons of pallets
- 26 tons of food waste
For more information about the Museum’s sustainability efforts, visit dmns.org/sustainability.
About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region’s leading resource for informal science education. Our mission is to be a catalyst and ignite the community’s passion for nature and science. The Museum offers a wide variety of engaging exhibitions, programs, activities and scientific research to inspire public appreciation and understanding of the wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. Information: dmns.org or 303.370.6000. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 17,500 people worldwide and reported 2018 sales of $11.6 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.