Disney to eliminate plastic straws, hotel in-room plastics and plastic shopping bags

[L&Lfan]

This thread is becoming bizarre.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Most of the plastic in the ocean comes from Asia and Africa.

I just read today that the top 4 ocean plastic polluters were Asian countries. I think it was China, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Someone posted upthread that the US sells its plastic waste to China, who then disposes much of it. So the numbers you see don't accurately reflect where the plastic comes from originally.

Not sure if this is true for the other countries you listed, but they have nowhere near the same pollution rate as China.

Those figures will likely change beginning this year, since China will no longer accept much of our pladtic waste anymore.

 

[LSUmiss]

Thank you both for answering. I'm still rather confused. Does moving through the straw actually significantly warm the beverage?
Or do you mean the ice physically hits your teeth? I find that odd. At most, when lots of ice remains in a glass with little beversge and I tip it way back, ice hits my lips, but not teeth.
I'm beginning to wonder if growing up using straws all the time affects how one learns to sip from a glass? I am trying to imagine keeping my mouth open enough to have ice hitting my teeth and it seems like it would be very unnatural.

I didn’t really grow up using a straw. Most of the time we had beverages in a cup or glass. I never liked ice in mine for this same reason. I don’t let the ice bounce off my teeth either. Just b/c you don’t have the same sensitivity doesn’t mean those of that do are morons who can’t drink from a glass properly. The issue is if ice gets into my mouth while sipping, me teeth are too sensitive to chew it. So if the piece(s) isn’t small enough to swallow then I end up having to spit the ice back into the cup. Not a fun/appropriate way for a grow woman to have to drink a beverage. I would be fine with a straw alternative &/or beverages with no ice. But, selfish or not, that’s not a discomfort I care to have especially on vacation. And, like I said earlier, for a luxury theme park that consumes A LOT of others resources & severely affects the surrounding natural environment just for the entertainment purposes of its guests, the straw/lid thing just seems like hypocritical symbol of substance to make some ppl feel better about themselves & their overconsumption & let WDW implement yet another cost-cutting measure.

 

[maxiesmom]

Where was it said that Disney was not going to have an alternative? Seems many people are jumping the gun.

And to all the complaining about how Disney is not going totally green, do you really want them to? You do realize that would include no fireworks. No balloons. Small changes are better than no changes. I only do a few things at home that I would consider green, but I don't run around throwing garbage out my car window because I can't be all green.

 

[Wubar]

Let those that think Disney is being hypocritical of their new decreased usage of plastic have at it. Any decrease in the use of plastic is better for the environment, no matter if it is .01%, 1%,.10%, whatever. Is it a cost cutting measure? Yeah, probably. They're certainly not the only company to cut costs without a corresponding savings move for their customers. As long as they are trying to be more environmentally friendly, I'm all for it. Always good to do the right thing, and the sooner, the better.

Those that might be medically inconvenienced by it, I sympathize with. For all other aesthetic and preference inconveniences, come on. Really? Now that you know the facts beforehand, prepare accordingly in advance before entering the parks, just like you would for any other rule or policy changes. Bring your own straws if you need one, ask for drinks without ice if that affects your teeth, or go the other end of the scale and "boycott Disney! How DARE they take away our straws!!!!!"

 

[NHdisneylover]

The straws allow liquid to come into the mouth farther back. Drinking directly from the glass usually causes some of the drink to wash over/behind the teeth.

I didn’t really grow up using a straw. Most of the time we had beverages in a cup or glass. I never liked ice in mine for this same reason. I don’t let the ice bounce off my teeth either. Just b/c you don’t have the same sensitivity doesn’t mean those of that do are morons who can’t drink from a glass properly. The issue is if ice gets into my mouth while sipping, me teeth are too sensitive to chew it. So if the piece(s) isn’t small enough to swallow then I end up having to spit the ice back into the cup. Not a fun/appropriate way for a grow woman to have to drink a beverage. I would be fine with a straw alternative &/or beverages with no ice. But, selfish or not, that’s not a discomfort I care to have especially on vacation. And, like I said earlier, for a luxury theme park that consumes A LOT of others resources & severely affects the surrounding natural environment just for the entertainment purposes of its guests, the straw/lid thing just seems like hypocritical symbol of substance to make some ppl feel better about themselves & their overconsumption & let WDW implement yet another cost-cutting measure.

I don't know what your problem is but I never called you or any other poster in this thread a moron. I don't appreciate your tone attributing such an attitude to me. It's very rude and off base.

I have NEVER, prior to this thread, heard the idea that straws are needed when there is ice and not when there isn't. Something many in this thread spoke of and I was trying to figure out why that would be.

Soldiers Sweetie, thanks for your explanation, in that case it sounds like it's really about the drink temperature and could happen even with or without ice in the drink if served ice cold.

 

[EveDallas]

Thank you both for answering. I'm still rather confused. Does moving through the straw actually significantly warm the beverage?
Or do you mean the ice physically hits your teeth? I find that odd. At most, when lots of ice remains in a glass with little beversge and I tip it way back, ice hits my lips, but not teeth.
I'm beginning to wonder if growing up using straws all the time affects how one learns to sip from a glass? I am trying to imagine keeping my mouth open enough to have ice hitting my teeth and it seems like it would be very unnatural.

The ice doesn't physically hit the teeth, but it comes much closer than it would with a straw, thus bringing the extreme cold in contact with the teeth. I suspect no one is actually drinking with their mouth wide open.

 

[EveDallas]

I don't remember very many people being all up in arms about the pollution caused by straws until the last few weeks. I guess it's the cool thing to be bothered by now.

I, personally, can take them or leave them, but I do hate the paper ones.

It's the new fad to be all freaked out by straws. I suspect it will fade away, especially if Disney sees it affect their bottom line regarding drink sales.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Getting back out of the side track: Personally, I think it makes sense from both an environmental and cost perspective for Disney to stop offering straws.
I doubt they'll lose substantial business, it hasn't kept people away from animal kingdom.
Those who truly need or even just want straws can bring their own, even if those people bring disposable straws it would still be far fewer straws (and hopefully lids) being used overall. Straws are small and light, can fit in a pocket for those of us who don't carry bags in the park, so it's not really a great inconvenience to anyone.

I think similarly about the soap dispensers which the industry as a whole is moving towards anyway (DS19 has reminded me that many cabins on RCI ships have had them for years too).

And the easiest way to greatly reduce plastic bag usage would to retrain CMs to not automatically give one but instead to ask if you have a backpack or other bag or do you need it to carry your purchase? A lot of people, if prompted to think for a moment, can easily stick the purchase in their backpacks or stroller or larger plastic bag another purchase using, etc. Again, no one is inconvenienced, and both Disney's bottom line and the environment are a little better off.

Basically, a whole lot of people are making much ado about things which will have very minimal impact on their overall vacation experience. I bet half those concerned wouldn't really notice enough to spend more than a moment thinking "huh, different" if they'd showed up to the changes already having bern made with no prior announcemants.

 

[EveDallas]

I don't know what your problem is but I never called you or any other poster in this thread a moron. I don't appreciate the tone you attributing such an attitude to me. It's very rude and off base.

You may not have meant it that way, but implying that those of us who prefer straws don't know how to drink a beverage does come across as saying we lack a basic skill.

 

[NHdisneylover]

You may not have meant it that way, but implying that those of us who prefer straws don't know how to drink a beverage does come across as saying we lack a basic skill.

I certainly did not intend to imply you do not know how to drink . I meant what I said, that I wonder if it changes the physical way one learns to drink and maybe that chsnges whether or not ice would create a problem.

Sort of like how people who grow up where the norm is to hold the fork curved side down can hit teeth as they insert it into the mouth flipped the other way and vice versa because their muscle memory of how all the parts of eating go together is different. Niether is right or wrong, but it is different.
I was thinking that might explain why what I experience sipping doesn't match what I'm reading many here saying they experience.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Thank you both for answering. I'm still rather confused. Does moving through the straw actually significantly warm the beverage?
Or do you mean the ice physically hits your teeth? I find that odd. At most, when lots of ice remains in a glass with little beversge and I tip it way back, ice hits my lips, but not teeth.
I'm beginning to wonder if growing up using straws all the time affects how one learns to sip from a glass? I am trying to imagine keeping my mouth open enough to have ice hitting my teeth and it seems like it would be very unnatural.

Growing up I didn't use a straw but also didn't use ice either.
Yes the straw does tend to heat up the drink as it passes though the straw where my lips are pressed to the straw. I don't want the ice to touch my lips either. Again I don't like cold so why would I want it touching any part of me? You really don't have to understand it. You can just accept that people are different and that is that.

 

[brockash]

Thank you both for answering. I'm still rather confused. Does moving through the straw actually significantly warm the beverage?
Or do you mean the ice physically hits your teeth? I find that odd. At most, when lots of ice remains in a glass with little beversge and I tip it way back, ice hits my lips, but not teeth.
I'm beginning to wonder if growing up using straws all the time affects how one learns to sip from a glass? I am trying to imagine keeping my mouth open enough to have ice hitting my teeth and it seems like it would be very unnatural.

Think about when you use a straw...the beverage does not touch the front of your teeth. Of course a straw does not "warm" a beverage and I'm sure almost all ppl. are able to sip a beverage a accurately. Maybe ppl. who never use a straw aren't able to understand how it works, but if you try it once it'll make sense - it prevents the beverage from touching your front teeth - that's how it helps those with teeth sensitivity.

 

[aprilgail]

Everyone is different, but I have to tell you that there is zero chance that I would carry around 4 reusable mugs throughout WDW. Ditto for the reusable bag. I'd buy less stuff before I'd do that. Or I'd order it online while standing in the store -- which I've done -- and they can ship it to me using tons of cardboard.

All about balance and keeping things convenient...

I agree- when I go to the parks I just bring me, my magic band, cell phone in my pocket and money in my pocket- I don't like to be carrying around a bunch of crap in the parks

 

[MrsPete]

Wow, 16 pages of discussion started by straws. Multiple thoughts:

- I'm hearing this straw-thing from numerous directions these days. I agree that it's trend-of-the-moment and not anything that's going to make a big difference in the world.
- If we were serious about doing away with something really bad, we'd eliminate styrofoam cups, plates, and take-out trays. Styrofoam will still be in a landfill when your grandchildren's grandchildren's grandchildren have grandchildren. These items are physically larger than straws, and they seem to be a poor trade-off for a moment of convenience.
- For most of us (skipping over the sensitive teeth people), we don't really care whether we have a straw at the table ... but a straw cup allows us an easy way to tote a drink around the park. If we aren't carrying our left-over-from-lunch drink, we're more likely to buy another drink. Do you think this has escaped Disney's eye?
- Paper straws are not as "nice" as plastic straws, but they do provide a reasonable substitute.
- I would never bother to bring my own straws.
- I don't care about plastic bags in stores; I never buy souvenirs anyway and am actually dumbfounded by the concept that you need to buy something to remember your vacation. I do suspect Disney is interested in upping their profits by selling reusable bags; as you use these bags at the grocery store back home, these bags become additional advertising for them.
- I'm not crazy about the idea of refillable toiletries in Disney hotels (yes, I'm familiar with the tank-on-the-shower-wall concept). I'm careful about hotel items. I know a guy who -- back in college -- urinated in hotel ice machines, so I never use the scoop-it-yourself ice machines. He's now a high school principal. Can you think of any body fluid people might add to the shampoo /conditioner tub? I'd rather skip hotel-provided toiletries altogether. I prefer to bring my own.

 

[Wendy31]

I love ice in my drinks - the more the better! And, when I'm drinking a coke, I much prefer fountain to canned or bottled.

Most of the time, though, I order unsweetened iced tea.

However, even at home, I don't drink a beverage w/o adding ice.

At home, the only time I use a straw is in the morning w/ my breakfast shake.

But, when I'm at a restaurant, I do tend to use a straw w/ my drinks. And, I want a straw & a plastic lid for to-go cups.

I'm not a huge fan of paper straws either.

But that's how I've been conditioned.

Reading through this thread, I've started thinking about my straw usage & the different places/instances where I use a straw which made me think of the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, FL.

The Alligator Farm has come a very loooonnnggg way since its early days when the alligators were used for entertainment & death-defying alligator-wrestling "shows". They're now committed to research & conservation, partner w/ other research & rehabilitation facilities, & hold several different zoo certifications.

(We visit St. Augustine frequently, & our younger DS LOVES the Alligator Farm. So we've been many, many times. LOL! Our DD really likes komodo dragons, so, this past visit, we scheduled a "behind the scenes" tour to get closer to the komodos & ended up learning more about the research & certification of the Alligator Farm. It's a highly respected organization.)

Anyway....

The Alligator Farm doesn't have any straws at their concessions stands - paper or plastic, & they don't have any lids for the drinks either. In fact, if you order a drink, you're given a plastic resusable tumbler. You pay one price, & you can get as many fountain drink refills throughout your visit as you want.

And, at the end of our visit, we have a set of plastic Alligator Farm tumblers. Admittedly, it's kind of a pain walking around w/ an empty plastic tumbler. Bugs get attracted to the residue, so I take our set to the restroom to rinse them out.

But I appreciate the reasons behind them not having straws or plastic lids or even paper or styrofoam cups. And not having those things hasn't affected their attendance in any way. People just adjust accordingly at the concessions stand counter.

But I could see how walking around a park like the Magic Kingdom w/ 5 reusable plastic tumblers would be more of an issue.

 

[gina2000]

This is an interesting discussion because of the ripple effect of reducing plastic may cause. Americans eat and drink "on the go" and if plastic consumption is severely reduced in the future, I suspect our grazing habits may change. We may sit and eat a meal rather than our current habits. I rarely use straws and dislike plastic utensils but they are convenient when I don't want to take time out of a busy day. We now drink water out of plastic bottles as we wander; we drink soda from a cup with a lid and a straw. Who would ever walk around with a cup of soda with no lid? How do quick service meals change from styrofoam containers and sealed soda containers to plates and silverware?

Just thinking.....

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Ok really do you not understand that if another form of straw is provided that those of us that require one will be more than happy to use it?

The PP said in the absence of a straw she would choose to buy a bottle, and that’s what I was responding to. I have no idea how that individual feels about other straw options and what her preference would be then, because that’s not the scenario she was presenting in her comment.

 

[LSUmiss]

Where was it said that Disney was not going to have an alternative? Seems many people are jumping the gun.

And to all the complaining about how Disney is not going totally green, do you really want them to? You do realize that would include no fireworks. No balloons. Small changes are better than no changes. I only do a few things at home that I would consider green, but I don't run around throwing garbage out my car window because I can't be all green.

The point is they would never do this b/c it would be a lot less fun so this change is doing very little. My point was made in response to those who claim it’s selfish of us that don’t want this change. All of the things you mentioned are why enjoying a theme park vacation in itself could be just as selfish. But, for those who aren’t bothered by the straw thing they can feel good about themselves. I have not read anyone yet who likes the straw thing say it’s a sacrifice for them. Most who have stated they support it have also said that they don’t use straws anyway & it’s no big deal to them. Those of us who are annoyed by it have said it would be something we were giving up. So, let’s see how environmentally friendly & unselfish ppl would be if WDW did actually go green a very meaningful way & more ppl were actually being asked to give up things.

 

[LSUmiss]

I don't know what your problem is but I never called you or any other poster in this thread a moron. I don't appreciate your tone attributing such an attitude to me. It's very rude and off base.

I have NEVER, prior to this thread, heard the idea that straws are needed when there is ice and not when there isn't. Something many in this thread spoke of and I was trying to figure out why that would be.

Soldiers Sweetie, thanks for your explanation, in that case it sounds like it's really about the drink temperature and could happen even with or without ice in the drink if served ice cold.

It’s hard to read tone in print. I apologize if I misread yours. To me it appeared that you were insinuating that it wasn’t possible that a straw could provide any benefit & that ppl just didn’t know how to drink from a glass properly. I found that insulting. I apologize if you were just really trying to understand it.