Kennywood Amusement Park on the outskirts of Pittsburgh has gone green, joining a number of other theme parks.

High-energy lights on the Bayern Kurve ride and another of the park's attractions have been replaced by LEDs. The idea is to save money and greatly reduce the frequency with which the bulbs need changing.

The theme park joins a number of other amusements parks that have made efforts to go green. Disney and Universal Studios began their own improvements a couple of years ago by increasing recycling, using alternative fuels in people-movers and installing solar panels. Universal Parks and Resorts held Eco-fairs at its parks in Florida and California to educate guests on the ways of green-living. They were also shown environmentally friendly technology.

The Busch theme parks have also taken steps to protect the environment. Last year they converted the dishes and utensils in their restaurants and eateries. The tableware is now made from biodegradable cornstarch or bamboo instead of foam and plastic. The Walt Disney Co. are also aiming to eventually achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions, for its theme parks and the rest of the media and entertainment empire.

Six Flags Inc. have also announced their companywide green initiative to reduce electricity and fuel which includes some unusual techniques. The company will start with four of its twenty North American parks refuelling diesel-burning vehicles with used vegetable oil and using LED lights to cut down on electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Theme parks efforts to save the environment are paying off. At Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, the lights on the Big Wheel were switched to LED bulbs. Company officials estimate the greenhouse gas reductions from that one move alone are equivalent to planting 2,800 trees or taking 70 cars off the road.