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

[DisLiss]

That chart definitely does try to make you look at things from a certain perspective. It lists US as the least polluting on a list of 12 countries. That means we're still worse than 183 other countries!

 

[kdonnel]

Maybe that's a region-specific problem that you've heard of secondhand?
Water and energy costs are some of the highest property expenses in the NE and nothing to sneeze at for most reputable property owners.

I’m not saying that building owners don’t care about energy use. That is a tiny part of getting a building labeled LEED certified. There are many items in the checklist that allow cheating the intention.

For example you can purchase offset credits and get points and not actually do anything “green”.

 

[Hikergirl]

I’m not saying that building owners don’t care about energy use. That is a tiny part of getting a building labeled LEED certified. There are many items in the checklist that allow cheating the intention.

For example you can purchase offset credits and get points and not actually do anything “green”.

Anytime you can purchase your way out of a regulation the only "green" that matters is the shade of dollar bills.

 

[Magpie]

Something like that I guess is better than no lid. We were just at Disney in May and ordered A LOT of water and they always came with lids. Was it at AK that you ordered water and did not receive a lid? If so, that makes think it's more likely they won't be providing lids at the other parks either once they start this new phase.

Yes, it was. Animal Kingdom does not allow plastic straws or lids, except within the confines of sit down restaurants like Tusker House. And you can't get "to go" cups. I remember being very careful carrying our lunch tray, so as not to tip the water everywhere.

I've even heard stories of security removing those little straws from the sides of juice boxes, if they find them during bag check. They're very serious about protecting the animals.

You may be right... it might be cheaper and more convenient for Disney to just eliminate lids altogether. Although, now I'm thinking there's a market for standard sized re-usable rubber sippy cup lids. Small-medium-large, capable of fitting over most fast food cups.

I bet you could sell tons, once more places start eliminating plastic!

(Edit: Of course, they already exist: https://www.amazon.ca/Boon-Silicone..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=503QN82KVVF8956HJWHD Really inexpensive, too - if I still had toddlers, I'd invest in a bunch of these!)

 

[NYCgrrl]

I’m not saying that building owners don’t care about energy use. That is a tiny part of getting a building labeled LEED certified. There are many items in the checklist that allow cheating the intention.

For example you can purchase offset credits and get points and not actually do anything “green”.

Would you like to elaborate on the "many items in the checklist that allow cheating..."?
Your area is newly building up whilst I live in an area known for some of the oldest housing stock in the country and I suspect implementation differs.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wa...n-room-plastics-and-plastic-shopping-bags.htm

My apologies if this is old news. I haven't been around much lately, so I may have missed a previous discussion on this.

I'm curious to know what you all think!

I'm assuming this means paper straws, like they have in Animal Kingdom, and reuseable cloth bags.

Not old news. Just already in the Rumors & News forum.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Recycling glass is a very energy efficient process. The act of recycling glass uses much less energy then producing new glass. Yet many communities are stopping curb side recycling of glass. The single stream method of recycling that has become popular actually cause a much higher percentage of recyclables from each batch to be sent to the landfill. Most people don't recycle properly at all. They toss items in the bin that cause tons of potentially recyclable material to just be chunked in the landfill because it is too labor intensive to sort or the post processors will not buy batches that contain more then a few percent of contaminants by weight so the sorters are aggressive in sending stuff to the landfill. Glass is being dropped because when in a single stream path it presents a significant danger.

Different types of plastic are more easily recycled then others. The best types are more or less energy and environmentally neutral when compared to making new. The worst types (the ones used most often) take much more energy and have a much worse impact on the environment to recycle then produce new.

When recycling first was required by our County (and the companies couldn't charge you extra for it) glass was accepted. It quickly stopped for fear of injuries because at that time it was a very small container picked up by hand.

Nowadays even though people still do have smaller ones a ton of people have the larger containers and they now pick up with the automatic arm. They haven't added glass back though.

There's a service in our area you can pay for them to come pick up the glass but honestly with the several drop off points (most are from the company Ripple Glass) that are like large dumpsters it's not too difficult for us to stockpile the glass and then dump it at once.

I actually joke that it must look like we are alcoholics because of how much glass we drop off at once but that includes wine, beer and food containers (all washed out and cleaned) and from a long time collecting (like a year or more at times).

 

[PollyannaMom]

Although, now I'm thinking there's a market for standard sized re-usable rubber sippy cup lids. Small-medium-large, capable of fitting over most fast food cups.

That's brilliant!

 

[Imzadi]

So no straws at all? They better provide some kind of alternative because I won't drink cold beverages without one.
So now we have to purchase shopping bags? They better offer free paper bags because I won't purchase a bag nor will I bring one with me so apparently I won't be spending my money in the stores unless I purchase something and have it sent to the resort or purchase something at my resort.
So no throw away cups in the rooms? They better offer something better than glasses since we all know they don't get cleaned or if they do its with glass cleaner with the rag they just wiped the mirror with.
I'm not against changes but the alternatives need to be just as convenient and sanitary for the guests.

Good grief.

It reminded me of the list of backstage demands that celebrities have in order to appear on a TV show.

 

[Princessclab]

I like the idea of purchasing reusable Disney bags, I have had issues with color bleed and thus purple/blue hands when the current ones get wet (looking at you, Florida rain). As far as straws, as long as I have some sort of straw option, I'm good. Total "first world problem" but I don't like messing up my lipstick without one. Yes, I am that person . The shampoo thing doesn't bother me. It isn't that great anyway.

Best of luck to you!!!

 

[Imzadi]

I think they raised some legitimate concerns. There is nothing wrong with wanting things to be sanitary, whether reusable or not.

apparently people have a problem with my opinion.

We - at least I - took issue with the repeated, "they better..." threats.

Yes, the concerns weren't the problem. The post was worded a little funny, to me. Sorry, Queen.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

It reminded me of the list of backstage demands that celebrities have in order to appear on a TV show.

My point is they need to offer reasonable alternatives like paper straws, paper bags, and paper cups.
Yes I said need. I'm not an entitled guest I'm just trying to get a reasonable alternative to plastic.
Like another poster suggested how about cutting down on plastic silverware too by using sporks.
They want to go green yet Ziploc who will sponsor Splash Mountain is going to hand out baggies? Seems like they dont care since they aren't paying for that plastic waste.

 

[lifesavacation]

When recycling first was required by our County (and the companies couldn't charge you extra for it) glass was accepted. It quickly stopped for fear of injuries because at that time it was a very small container picked up by hand.

Nowadays even though people still do have smaller ones a ton of people have the larger containers and they now pick up with the automatic arm. They haven't added glass back though.

There's a service in our area you can pay for them to come pick up the glass but honestly with the several drop off points (most are from the company Ripple Glass) that are like large dumpsters it's not too difficult for us to stockpile the glass and then dump it at once.

I actually joke that it must look like we are alcoholics because of how much glass we drop off at once but that includes wine, beer and food containers (all washed out and cleaned) and from a long time collecting (like a year or more at times).

We are charged bottle deposits in our area so we stockpile all of our drinking containers turn back in, too. It's definitely worth it.

For all those opposed to the changes being proposed, aren't you concerned about the impact all this plastic has, not only on the environment, but on our health as well? I wish we'd totally do away with ALL plastic used in food prep and storage because it really does have adverse effects on our health.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873021/

 

[Imzadi]

Isn't soap self cleaning? what would need to be sanitized? I am not a germaphobe, so the refillable shampoo and body wash is fine with me.

I've seen those public dispensers in gas station bathrooms & places where the bottoms, where the soap comes out gets all gunked up and MOLDY. So, the sanitized soap passes though the moldy opening and the mold can possibly be passed onto the soap.

If Disney housekeeping keeps those dispensers clean, fine. But, if they use the same rags that they used around toilets and other non-sanitary places to wipe off the bottom nozzles, they might not end up very clean.


I wonder though, if these dispensers are going to cost Disney more in soap in the long run. We've seen "tips" by people who split one apple 5 ways for 5 people to have a snack. And then there's the Ramein noodles and whatnot cooked in the coffee pots. I can foresee some people draining all the shampoo & conditioner out of the dispensers to take home.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Yes, the concerns weren't the problem. The post was worded a little funny, to me. Sorry, Queen.

Thanks for some kindness. I just don't care for posters that can have their opinions but because they do not agree with mine feel the need to personally attack.

 

[georgina]

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?

There is till one brewery in the US that sells beer in returnable bottles - Straub in PA! https://beerpulse.com/2016/11/strau...tle-wins-environmental-leadership-award-4811/

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We are charged bottle deposits in our area so we stockpile all of our drinking containers turn back in, too. It's definitely worth it.

Yeah we don't have bottle deposits in our area nor are we charged a deposit when we buy something with glass. But recycling as much as we can def has helped lower the amount of actual trash we have so that's nice.

The only thing I don't recycle in my personal home, that is classified as recyclable, as a norm anymore is newspapers because I take that to a local cat rescue/shelter so they can use it.

 

[Imzadi]

I was just going to make a similar comment, that I am old enough to recall when straws were paper, beverages came in glass bottles, ice cream spoons and coffee stirrers were wooden and bags were made out of paper. As kids we used to hunt down discarded beverage bottles to turn them into stores for cash. I think the small soda bottles were worth 2 cents, the larger a nickel, and the holy grail milk bottles 25 cents!

Yes, some people are acting like paper straws & wooden stirrers are new. They are not. I get that some people have disabilities in which they need a stronger, more long lasting plastic straw. But, paper straws, wooden paddle ice cream spoons and wood coffee stirrers worked for decades between the 50's - early 70's for the general public before plastic was invented.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Thanks for some kindness. I just don't care for posters that can have their opinions but because they do not agree with mine feel the need to personally attack.

I really don't think that anybody "attacked" you. Several of us called into question your repeated insistance that your preferences be accommodated, and we pointed out that Disney likely will not do so, nor will your protest in the form of boycotting certain types of purchases make a big enough dent in their bottom line to make them change. I feel like you are the one unwilling to accept that others disagree with you.

 

[dotfurio]

I don't think a refillable shampoo dispenser is going to be anywhere near as gross as the t.v. remote in any hotel room. At least with the dispenser there's soap involved.