GreenPath's Environmental Focus
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center resides on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, 140,000 acres of protected land. Operated by Delaware North Companies, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex works with NASA to protect and respect not only this protected land, but our entire home planet. Delaware North’s “GreenPath” program helps reduce our human footprint on our beautiful surroundings.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics
If you want a straw or lid, just ask! By asking for a lid and straw, we are reducing the amount of single use plastic waste being sent to the landfill. Food plates, bowls and trays in our cafes are made from recycled pulp, and our straws, cutlery and to-go lids are bio-based. The bags provided in our retail shops for your NASA gear are biodegradable and printed with bio-based ink. For your health and safety, water bottle refill fountains are currently closed. Please visit Orbit Cafe to receive refills.
Protect Wildlife
You may notice that some of the outdoor lighting is amber in color. Delaware North replaced all outdoor lighting at the Apollo/Saturn V Center to sea turtle compliant lighting to meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife regulations. As another way to protect the wildlife, we highly discourage guests from feeding the wildlife they encounter at the visitor complex. The food is not good for their diets and it makes the animal aggressive. Feeding, handling, or harassing wildlife on a federal refuge is prohibited.
Recycle!
Plastic bottles, cardboard, aluminum cans and non-food contaminated paper is collected and recycled in the blue recycle containers found throughout the visitor center. Behind the scenes, ear buds, shredded paper, toner cartridges, batteries, lamps, metal, wood, concrete and tires are also recycled.
Energy
The Apollo/Saturn V Center was converted to LED lighting inside and out, and as we renovate and build new construction, LED lighting is installed. Five solar trees have been “planted” at the visitor complex. They were installed by Florida Power and Light and the energy generated is put back into the power grid for the park.
How YOU Can Help:
- When disposing of your leftover food, plates and cutlery in our cafes, please place your waste in the appropriate trash bins.
- Never feed the wildlife! Help us protect the animals and help prevent them from becoming aggressive. This includes birds, squirrels and even alligators.
- Bring your own water bottle. We have numerous refill stations throughout the complex. You can also purchase a souvenir cup to refill with tea or soda throughout the day.
- Always recycle your plastic bottles in our recycle bins around the park. You can also recycle your used visitor complex map as you exit. You can also save a map and download our app!
- Purchase a recycled bag from retail to use even after you leave the visitor complex.
- Consider using your own headphones for our SmartGuides. If you need the pair we provide, please take them home and continue to use them. They are yours to keep.
Visit The Payload blog for a complete overview of all of the GreenPath initiatives. There, you can learn about our food digester, eco-friendly artificial turf and plans for new buses.
