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

[PlainJane]

My issue with cheap reusable bags is most aren’t meant to be washed. When I use a reusable bag at the store I take washable canvas bags, if I buy something like meat the bag goes in the wash.

I was reading an article about some in the disabled community not being thrilled about the new Starbucks cups because some cannot physically drink without a straw and even with paper straws they break down too quickly.

I’ll, personally, miss lids more than straws. For short trips out with my son, I take a Contigo cup with a straw, but that’s not as practical for a full day at Disney unless he’s only drinking water.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

They're looking to reduce plastic bags in parks -- not eliminate: "Plans also call for Disney to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in owned and operated parks and on Disney cruise line, offering guests the option to purchase reusable bags at a nominal price."

I have no intention of carrying around reusable bags on my vacation. It's not practical particularly with resort pickup and the like.

And I'll just mention this... perspective is important when we evaluate the actual anticipated impact of any of these moves (US is at 1.3% of the total):

https://www.statista.com/chart/12211/the-countries-polluting-the-oceans-the-most/

View attachment 339726

That's kind of because until very recently, most of the plastic garbage was exported TO China....

 

[AustinTink]

I just stayed at a hotel with the large refillable dispensers in the shower. I always bring my own toiletries when I travel because I have sensitive skin and use mostly unscented stuff. My traveling companion had no issue using the liquids from the dispenser. She was more than happy to have them.

Honestly, though, even if I could use the stuff, I wouldn't. It's about having trust in humanity, meaning the prior inhabitants of the hotel room. And that's just something I don't have these days. I don't know that the bottles have not been tampered with. So that would be a big "no" from me.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yes, but I also think that is a risk of staying in hotels. I almost always worry about taking bed bugs home with me—even Disney.

Sure. But one of those can be avoided (ie buying a used mattress).

 

[cabanafrau]

That's kind of because until very recently, most of the plastic garbage was exported TO China....

Not sure that the baled up, recycled plastic that was shipped to China is anywhere near the primary cause of the plastic and other debris famously choking Chinese rivers.

 

[kdonnel]

Not sure that the baled up, recycled plastic that was shipped to China is anywhere near the primary cause of the plastic and other debris famously choking Chinese rivers.

The baled up recycled plastic accounts for 10% of the total waste handled in China. It is most definitely part of the bar.

 

[cabanafrau]

The baled up recycled plastic accounts for 10% of the total waste handled in China. It is most definitely part of the bar.

If Chinese firms contract to purchase and process recycled plastic from other countries, accept shipment and then mishandle it to the point where it winds up clogging their rivers they need better controls of how they handle the materials, period. Frankly I'm not convinced, nor have I seen evidence, that the recycled plastics shipped to China are a proximate cause of the extreme river pollution there, versus pollution caused by their own homegrown consumers.

As a Michigander I'm acutely aware of living in a state where business entities have been allowed to profit from accepting waste from another country -- waste that does not have to comport with the same regulations and oversight applied to waste collection and disposal of those who live in Michigan.

 

[kdonnel]

If Chinese firms contract to purchase and process recycled plastic from other countries, accept shipment and then mishandle it to the point where it winds up clogging their rivers they need better controls of how they handle the materials, period.

Which is why China has banned the import of 24 types of recyclable material as of the end of 2017. Because much of what they were importing was ending up in the water.

 

[bethwc101]

I'm for the changes.

Bags - I already live in a place that eliminated plastic grocery bags. I'm very used to bringing my own, and would actually love to add a couple of Disney ones to my collection!

Straws - I'm not really a fan of the paper ones, but I also have no problem just drinking out of a cup! I've never avoided AK over the straw issue, and I certainly won't start now.

Toiletries - Though I have previously enjoyed bringing home the little bottles in order to have one more shower with "that Disney smell" I've also felt bad about all that waste. I really don't think I'll have a problem adjusting to dispensers.

DLR vet and never been to WDW. What is up with AK and the straws? Do they not have them for the animals' safety?

 

[NYCgrrl]

DLR vet and never been to WDW. What is up with AK and the straws? Do they not have them for the animals' safety?

Yes, it has to do with the animals' safety.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Honestly, though, even if I could use the stuff, I wouldn't. It's about having trust in humanity, meaning the prior inhabitants of the hotel room. And that's just something I don't have these days. I don't know that the bottles have not been tampered with. So that would be a big "no" from me.

What do you really expect other Disney-goers to be doing to your shampoo?

DLR vet and never been to WDW. What is up with AK and the straws? Do they not have them for the animals' safety?

Yes. They haven't had them as long as I remember, because birds and other animals eat them by mistake. Here is part of an article:

Have you ever seen the science experiment where a plastic straw punctures a raw potato? How about the one where a single sheet of paper holds the weight of a textbook? Both experiments demonstrate the strength of the cylinder—one of the most structurally sound geometrical shapes, regardless of the material they’re made out of—because they disperse stress throughout their entire form.

It’s no surprise then that plastic straws are dangerous to wildlife. Due to their small size, straws are often mistaken for food by animals and because of their cylindrical shape, straws can cause suffocation and death to the animal. In at least one instance, the stomach of a penguin was perforated by a plastic straw. In another, in a video seen around the world, a sea turtle’s nostril bled as a plastic straw was removed.

by Emily DiFrisco and Jackie Nuñez. The rest is here - http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/pft/2017/4/28/are-drinking-straws-dangerous

 

[cabanafrau]

AZA accreditation prohibits straws at facilities with animals also.

 

[BLAZEY]

Was at a Disney Store (in Oregon) Monday, and they had already stopped giving out plastic bags with your purchase. But they were selling reusable Disney bags for $1.99.

I got one with Tink on it years ago when we were at the Disney store in Clackamas Oregon. DD still uses it. I guess for our next trip I will pack it. I think I paid $0.99 for it. No way would I pay $5 for a small bag or $10 for a large. $1-2 yes, $5-10 no.

 

[BLAZEY]

During my childhood 40 years ago beverage containers were all made out of glass. There was a “deposit” charged on them which was refunded when they were returned to a facility. They were sterilized and refilled probably countless times over. At the end of its useful life as a container glass can be repurposed or recycled. Why couldn’t that still work today?

When I was on Prince Edward Island about 20 years ago it was the only place that still had glass bottles for all their pop. We have the deposit on all alcohol, water, juice and pop bottles and cans, plastic or glass. DD's swim club has an account at the bottle depot and we just take all our empties there and the club gets the $$. Our grocery store doesnt give out plastic bags, you can get paper (no handle for free) or buy reusable for $0.99. I bought a few when the started this and had them on for $0.25 each. I have 2 sets of 5 so on is in the car and DD puts the other set on the front door after unpacking so they get taken out the next time someone goes to the car.

 

[G719]

http://www.instructables.com/id/FASTEST-RECYCLED-T-SHIRT-TOTE-BAG/

Here's an idea for the crafters. Use your old Mickey shirts and make your own bag.

 

[lovetonap]

I got one with Tink on it years ago when we were at the Disney store in Clackamas Oregon. DD still uses it. I guess for our next trip I will pack it. I think I paid $0.99 for it. No way would I pay $5 for a small bag or $10 for a large. $1-2 yes, $5-10 no.

Yes, $1-2 is the most I would be willing to pay for a “reusable” bag because I am just going to throw it out. So, if it is a nominal amount, I can live with it. Any more than that and I would likely just pass on the purchase.

 

[marthachick]

We were at the Disney Store in Seviereville, TN last week and they didn't have plastic bags. They had very large bags for 99 cents. I didn't need one because I was just going to carry the items to my car and I have way too many reuseable bags already so didn't need another. My question is, what will they do for people purchasing items at parks to be delivered to their resorts? Will they have the reusable bags only? The one at TDS was huge and if you purchase something small, like a Christmas Ornament, those bags were way too big for that.

Also, we were in Yellowstone last year and stayed at the Canyon Lodge. They had the large refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. I didn't feel that they were unsanitary at all.

 

[kaytieeldr]

http://www.instructables.com/id/FASTEST-RECYCLED-T-SHIRT-TOTE-BAG/

Here's an idea for the crafters. Use your old Mickey shirts and make your own bag.

If you don't have access to a sewing machine, you can fringe the bottom (4" cuts 1/2" apart) and tie each front/back paid in a square knot to deal the bottom.

 

[NHdisneylover]

For many types of plastic it is actually better for the environment and energy consumption to toss the plastic in the landfill. The process to recycle uses more energy then producing new and is actually more damaging to the environment then producing new. Short of reducing or reusing, tossing makes more sense.

Reducing and reusing pretty much always makes more sense.
Just pointing out that because we dump less pkastplin the ocean than done other countries doesn't mean we aren't overusing disposable plastics and damaging the environment too. The US has a pretty big impact

 

[NHdisneylover]

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...

They can do what pretty much every German Christmas market does (Playmobil Funpark does the same).
Your beverage comes in a reusable container. When purchasing you are charged a deposit (here that ranges from 2-5 euro most places). When you're done, go up to any other stand, or the same one, turn it in and get the deposit back. It'll get washed and reused.
Easy peasy. Convient and far better for the environment.