Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, US has won the 2009 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).

GEELA recognises individuals, organisations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for voluntary achievements in conserving California's resources, protecting and enhancing the environment and building public-private partnerships. Recipients are chosen in 10 different categories based on their strength in eight specific areas including results, transferability, environmental impact, resource conservation, economic progress, innovation and uniqueness, pollution prevention and environmental justice.

Disneyland received the award for several sustainable practices implemented at the resort, including environmentally conscientious efforts to refill the Paradise Bay at Disney's California Adventure; the use of the resort's processed cooking oil to fuel the steam locomotives on its railway; and the water and energy conservation features incorporated into the resort's new central bakery. Last year, the water in Paradise Bay at Disney's California Adventure Park was drained to perform the detailed work needed to prepare for World of Color, a new night-time spectacular scheduled to debut in spring 2010. In partnership with the Orange County Water District (OCWD), the water was sent through OCWD's new Ground Water Replenishment System, instead of being released to the ocean through storm drains. The water went through an extensive purification process before it was stored in Orange County's underground water basin, which added to the County's overall water reserves. When the lagoon is refilled, clean water from the aquifer will be used.

In a move that allows the resort to save around 200,000 gallons (757,082 litres) of petroleum diesel per year, Disneyland Railroad's steam boilers are being fueled by a special biodiesel made from the processed cooking oil used in restaurants throughout the resort. The Railroad's five locomotives have been using a soy-based biodiesel to fuel their steam boilers since April 2007 and the cooking oil-based biodiesel continues to reduce emissions by up to 80 percent. The resort's Mark Twain Riverboat also uses the special cooking oil biodiesel. A new 10,000-square-foot (929sq m) central bakery opened at the resort in March 2009, boasting numerous environmental features such as Energy Star-rated reach-in refrigeration, cooking equipment, dishwashers and ovens. The roof is filled with tubular skylights, mirrored inside, that direct sunlight into the building during the day, reducing the need for electric lighting. Double-paned windows let in still more light while insulating the facility from heat.

In addition to saving energy, the building uses porous asphalt paving in the parking lot, which captures, filters and returns rainwater back into the ground, serving as a natural recycling system. Water reduction is also achieved via an underground sprinkler system which is used for the surrounding landscape. The system prevents water evaporation and works on a time clock with humidity sensors. Finally, the bakery diverts waste from landfills by recycling products such as old bread and baked goods as well as leftover dough, flours and grains into environmentally viable products such as livestock feed.

GEELA was established in 1993 and is administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resources Agency in collaboration with the State and Consumer Services Agency, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.