Straws- specifically Disney Fantasy

[CrusingFamily4]

I may be flamed for this, but I feel they should have a better option for young kids- this is a Disney cruise. I do like a pp response about asking for 2 glasses and just pouring a little in each time. However, the majority of restaurants here cater to young kids by providing covers. Perhaps Disney could purchase reusable spill proof cups? Or at least lids? Then parents would at least have a great eco-friendly option- and if they do not like that, then at least Disney had an option. I feel that parents would assume that a cruise line that caters to young families would have something kid friendly for drinks. They provide bottle warmers, diaper genies, bed rails... In our home, at least, we always used spill proof cups when the kids were 1-3 years old. Asking the girls to drink from an open cup, on a slightly moving ship, in an exciting new environment, would not be setting them up for success. It does not affect us, but I do feel for the young families. That is all. I know this is a minor thing in the grand scheme of things; however, being a parent of twins... it was hard enough keeping the kids entertained during a longer supper hour- never mind having to hover over them when they wanted a drink.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

If you want the feel of plastic and being able to dispose of them, try these - https://www.kegworks.com/eco-friend...MIpvz-7Y-E4AIVh4vICh2vFwcpEAQYBiABEgIhu_D_BwE

Several places in NYC use them, and from straw users I know, they feel the same as plastic.

Except they are no different than regular plastic straws, in most cases. But, they require more energy to produce, and hence actually less green than regular plastic straws.

PLA (which is what those straws are made of) still requires moisture and air to degrade, which it will not get in a landfill. In order for them to degrade, they have to go to an industrial composting facility. Which, for most people, is not readily available.

Further, people often think PLA are recyclable with "regular" plastics. They are not, and can actually cause problems at the recycling facilities if they get mixed in.

Bottom line, despite all the hype, regular plastic straws are still the greenest disposable straw (except at zoos/aquariums, as I noted above).

 

[quickcat]

Buy a set of reusable ones if you must have a straw to drink with. They come in different diameters. My family stopped using straws - yes, even for shakes and smoothies - when my sister had to go to speech therapy for a tongue thrust and the therapist told us how using straws contributed to that - but there are options besides plastic.

Really???! That is so interesting to me! My daughter is in fourth grade and still is in speech. She loves straws (always has) and uses them all the time. I am going to stop using them now. I never thought about it before how a straw could impact their mouth and tongue movements. Seriously, thank you! Looks like the old saying is true, you learn something new every day!

 

[Spotthecat]

I can't imagine the mess this would make in the theatres with people drinking in the dark with no lids and/or straws...heck I sometimes spill my drink when I actually have a lid...