Dollywood Theme Park
As a part of its sustainability efforts, Coca-Cola Consolidated is highlighting its partnership with Dollywood, as well as the work of Dollywood Grounds Manager, Bobby Johnson, for its deep-rooted commitment to sustainability at the park and within the state of Tennessee.
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is recognized as one of the world’s best theme parks. Spanning 165 acres and nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood offers more than 50 rides and attractions, world-class entertainment, master craftsmen demonstrating the area’s rich artistry, and hosts several of the South’s largest festivals throughout the season. The beauty of the mountains is carried into the front gates and throughout the park providing an unparalleled guest experience.
Dollywood has teamed up with Coca-Cola Consolidated to help protect this natural environment through programs to preserve these stunning landscapes for future generations.
One of Dollywood’s biggest challenges is the separation of polypropylene caps (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. With more than three million visitors every year, the park sees an abundance of discarded bottles that end up in the Sevier County local landfill.
In an effort to assist in this challenge, Coca-Cola Consolidated was able to provide a special sorting table that is used to help sort through recyclables. Once the bottles are sorted, they are compacted into 700 lb. cubes by the PET bottle baling machines.
In addition, Coca-Cola Consolidated’s sustainability team works closely with Dollywood to share and brainstorm innovative methods, practices and recommendations currently in use within the Coca-Cola Consolidated bottling company and accompanying communities.
Coca-Cola Consolidated Donates PET Sorting Table to Dollywood
Strengthening sustainability efforts within Dollywood has always been top of mind for Bobby Johnson, who works as Dollywood Grounds Manager. In his role, Bobby oversees planning, coordinating, and implementing a wide variety of upkeep solutions throughout the Dollywood grounds.
Bobby also leads a team of Dollywood hosts who work before and after hours to keep the park ready for guests each day.
After retiring from his previous job and making the move from Florida to Tennessee with his wife, who also works at Dollywood as Team Lead in Wardrobe, Bobby has worked at Dollywood for nearly 11 years.
“Every day is a memory,” Bobby says about his day-to-day experience within the park. “We have tons of memories here but some of the best memories are the ones with our teammates. It’s truly like one big family. We all look out for each other.”
Bobby Johnson, Dollywood Grounds Manager
Working in tandem with the Coca-Cola Consolidated sustainability team is another facet of Bobby’s day-to-day job. In addition to finding new ideas to bring sustainable solutions to Dollywood, Bobby goes out and studies guest behavioral trends within the park, strategically thinking how to improve Dollywood’s recycling efforts.
“It’s process of elimination,” Bobby says. “Watching how guests would respond to where we place a recycling container helps drive our recycling success rate up because we know where the containers will get the most usage.”
Bobby’s efforts within Dollywood parallel Coca-Cola Consolidated’s own sustainability efforts, which include creating a circular economy for its packaging. This is a push to collect old bottles and cans and make them into new ones.
“Between Dollywood, Coca-Cola Consolidated and our other partners, we want to work to get 100% of our bottles back,” says Bobby. “Every bottle matters. Each time we collect bottles to recycle, we get closer to closing the loop.”
Bobby aims to help Dollywood continue to reach its sustainability goals by working more with Coca-Cola Consolidated to ‘close the loop’ and educate the public on the importance of the environmental work being done at Dollywood.
“A big part of what we’re doing here is to build toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for the next generation of diverse servant leaders,” says Todd Marty, Senior Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability, “It’s our responsibility to educate and showcase its importance.”
Dollywood Coca-Cola Recycling Containers Stationed Throughout Park
Some current educational efforts include stationing sustainability signage within the park, having conversations with guests about sustainability, as well as increasing general messaging about waste and recycling containers throughout the park.
Coca-Cola Consolidated is honored to partner with Dollywood in a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By working together with Dollywood and individuals like Bobby Johnson, this partnership will continue to inspire guests, employees, and the surrounding communities to join in on recycling efforts and protect the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood.
Learn more about Coke Consolidated’s sustainability efforts here.
