From Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Parks:

Paper or plastic? Soon paper will be the only choice at the 10 theme parks of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

The company plans to eliminate plastic shopping bags within the next year.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment will be the largest theme park operator to make this commitment. Park gift shops will offer paper bags made from 100 percent recycled paper or guests can choose to purchase reusable bags.

“This is a significant change for our company, one we hope will provide a model for our industry overall,” said Jim Atchison, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Eliminating plastic bags is an important statement about our commitment to the environment, as well as the need to help protect marine animals from debris. It also allows our guests to play a direct part in making a difference on our planet.”

This move will keep an estimated 4 million plastic bags from entering landfills and the environment each year. Approximately 1.4 billion tons of trash, including plastic bags, enters the ocean annually. Wildlife such as endangered sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their favorite foods.