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

Jul 26, 2018 in "Walt Disney World Resorts"

Posted: Thursday July 26, 2018 9:05am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In an announcement today, The Walt Disney Company plans to eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated locations across the globe, amounting to a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually.

Also announced are plans to transition to refillable in-room amenities in hotels and cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent.

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.

Finally, the company will eliminate polystyrene cups across its globally owned and operated business

The company plans to implement most changes by mid-2019.

“Eliminating plastic straws and other plastic items are meaningful steps in our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products. “These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals.”

“Disney has always been inspired by nature – and it is a uniquely powerful brand that inspires, educates, and entertains, all at the same time,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. “Today’s announcement is more than about reducing single-use plastic waste, it’s also about showing millions of kids and adults from around the world the many ways we can change our daily habits to care for the oceans and protect nature that sustains us all. It also builds on Disney’s longstanding commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, a legacy that stretches from the highlands of Peru to the islands of the South Pacific.”

You can find out more about Disney's environmental commitment at https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/environment/.

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KikoKeaMay 08, 2019

We were there for a week and only used their paper straws. None turned to mush while we ate, even when we sat for a while afterwards. Well, actually DH absentmindedly chewed the end of his and had to tear the end off. The straws are not bad, but do feel different than plastic, although they work fine.

Texas84May 05, 2019

They are still the same straws that turn to mush.

flynnibusMay 05, 2019

No no... my business delivers to you in the parks :) Buying straws ahead of time means having somewhere to put them.

GoofGoofMay 05, 2019

You can probably get them through the grocery delivery service but it will cost you $6 now to have them delivered to your room ;)

flynnibusMay 05, 2019

I'm gonna start a straw delivery service business :D

JohnDMay 05, 2019

Agree. Also the straws fall apart and even before that the tip that you draw from shrinks up. So eventually the straws become useless.

Kram SaculMay 05, 2019

So how many animals have been saved so far?

John ZellerMay 03, 2019

I had the same issue. The straw would start coming apart halfway through my frozen lemonade. I started taking extra straws to replace the soggy one. I didn't have any issues using the paper straw with regular soft drinks.

RSoxNo1May 03, 2019

I'm ok with the paper straws on the night blossom.

GoofGoofMay 02, 2019

If you look at the FAQs posted earlier it’s perfectly safe to eat the paper straws. They actually taste better than the pizza at Pizzafari ;)

GoofGoofMay 02, 2019

AK has had the paper straws for years. Is this your first time visiting the park or did they replace the old paper straws with a new version with a taste to them?

King Racoon 77May 02, 2019

Your not supposed to eat the straws and cups 😮 I thought that was how recycling worked ...

networkproMay 02, 2019

IMHO perfectly safe with no taste or turning into mush

HauntedPirateMay 02, 2019

We've used paper straws before, and my wife and kids (especially my wife) can tell when something doesn't taste right. No taste problems with the paper straws except for if we wanted to bring the drink with us after the meal, it would get soggy and start breaking down after an hour or so.