BYOS bring your own straw (Disney removing straws and more in 2019)

[jade1]

The best current solution would likely be compostable plastic.

I'm ok with compostable plastic cups and lids. Straws as well.

Just not a fan of no lid at all.

 

[middlechild]

Nothing degrades buried under tons of other trash, devoid of water or air, at least not in any meaningful way. Our solid waste stream has a lot to figure out, and not just burying it on land or dumping it into the sea.

 

[soniam]

Paper has its own issues - the production is worse for the environment and it's heavier to transport, which means more fossil fuel use (it's sort of the opposite with plastic, where a lot of the environmental issues are back-loaded). And a lot of people hate the mouthfeel of a paper straw. (Less of an issue with lids, of course.)

The best current solution would likely be compostable plastic. If it were properly sorted for recycling and/or landfills, then it's a good solution. If it winds up in waterways, then you have some of the same issues again. And I think compostable plastic is a bit more expensive. But I think it would work as the most effective all-around solution that balances the environment and convenience.

I'd be all for compostable plastic, but that would kind of require WDW to start composting. We compost, ie we throw our vegetable matter in the back corner of the yard so that the wild bunnies can eat itI really dislike the paper straws at AK. The only time I use them is when I get a frozen beverage, then I slurp that thing down as fast as possible. I hate wet paper in my mouth We have some reusable stainless steel straws, but they are too narrow for the frozen chai at AK.

 

[Ponderer]

I'd be all for compostable plastic, but that would kind of require WDW to start composting. We compost, ie we throw our vegetable matter in the back corner of the yard so that the wild bunnies can eat it

Good for you! We compost too and my wife uses it for our garden.

I could see Disney starting a composting program by just having bins for in-resort plastic. And while recycling is ideal, this would be cheaper for them and minimize the economic impact. It they were really forward thinking - IF - they could even start generating electricity from compost sites to help supplement their energy needs.

 

[AurumPunzel]

Good for you! We compost too and my wife uses it for our garden.

I could see Disney starting a composting program by just having bins for in-resort plastic. And while recycling is ideal, this would be cheaper for them and minimize the economic impact. It they were really forward thinking - IF - they could even start generating electricity from compost sites to help supplement their energy needs.

That would be a great idea! However, I've yet to see a compostable bag that's got full-colour printing on, because I get the feeling Disney would want to make their hypothetical bioplastic bags have the same graphics on as their normal bags, and I've only seen ones that just have text and simple graphics on.

 

[Ponderer]

I was a little curious about that when you brought it up, so did a little research - there’s at least one company, Polynova, doing full color printing on compostable and biodegradable bags. I don’t know if it’s something that can be done at Disney scale, but it seems that it’s at least possible.

 

[Farro]

So I was looking for an excuse to buy this, thanks Disney!

 

[AurumPunzel]

I was a little curious about that when you brought it up, so did a little research - there’s at least one company, Polynova, doing full color printing on compostable and biodegradable bags. I don’t know if it’s something that can be done at Disney scale, but it seems that it’s at least possible.

That would make an ideal compromise, along with adopting bioplastics in lieu of food and drink petroplastics. Disney should be at the forefront of bioplastic adoption!

 

[PuppyJonathan]

So it dawned on me why I like straws (too lazy to go back and quote whoever asked how I feel about silverware). I like straws because I hate the feeling of the glass on my lips. Especially I get water if I tip I know myself too well I’m getting ice in my face, so holding it is another factor too. I guess I don’t mind silverware because I spend more time with glasses.

I probably added nothing to this

 

[Carrie Ellis]

My sister works for the EPA and boy are there a LOT of issues people do not know. If things were publicized everyday it would scare the crap out of most people. I was born in the 70s...I don't understand why any of this is that big of deal. I miss paper bags at the grocery store. I like being able to wrap gifts and boxes I was going mail with them. If Disney or any store wants to change how they do things, then we decide if we want their services. It is their choice and our choice. I personally like the idea of reducing trash. I am not even a tree huger. I just hate how trashy we have become and how self titled too. Heck, there is really no reason to buy nice appliances. They are all so cheaply made that it is better to buy a low cost one, chunk it when it goes out, and buy another low cost one. I am so ready for the shift to happen for quality, owning less, being able to fix things, and appreciating what you do have. So if Disney gets rid of bags and straws, I don't care. We vacation at Disney because we do consider it a quality vacation.

 

[psiprez]

I don't think we can go back to living in a "steampunk society," where glass, wood, metal, cotton, wool were the basic materials of our lives, as dreamy as it seems. Steel mines, cotton farming, and sheep farms create their own environmental disasters. The solution has to be focussing on using and creating new biodegradeable substances, and saving plastics for where it counts, like medical devices and waterproofing.

The whole disposability of our current society is the problem. But there is no money for Wall Street in reuse, repair, recycle. Ketchup comes in a plastic bottle because it's cheaper to manufacture and ship. Shoes are no longer leather. Car dashboards are no longer wood. Even lightbulbs are now plastic. WE used to buy less, but of better quality. I miss that.

 

[Mikey15]

I don't think we can go back to living in a "steampunk society," where glass, wood, metal, cotton, wool were the basic materials of our lives, as dreamy as it seems. Steel mines, cotton farming, and sheep farms create their own environmental disasters. The solution has to be focussing on using and creating new biodegradeable substances, and saving plastics for where it counts, like medical devices and waterproofing.

The whole disposability of our current society is the problem. But there is no money for Wall Street in reuse, repair, recycle. Ketchup comes in a plastic bottle because it's cheaper to manufacture and ship. Shoes are no longer leather. Car dashboards are no longer wood. Even lightbulbs are now plastic. WE used to buy less, but of better quality. I miss that.

While 'Are today's durable goods too low quality / too disposable?' is a valid question, I think it's a separate one from 'How do we reduce, reuse, or recycle one-time use, disposable items?' You're not going to get everyone who comes to the parks to bring their own reusable travel mugs, so if disposable cups need to be provided in some form, what should that form be?

My understanding with the wax-lined paper cups is they aren't necessarily easily recyclable, nor compostable. Plastic drink cups could be a solution if they actually provide convenient recycling at the parks. There's a whole lot of trash cans at Disney and not enough recycling. Surely there could be some kind of innovative solution that accepts & diverts remaining ice/liquid while taking the plastic to recycle? Biodegradable paper straws like at Animal Kingdom solves the straw problem. Whatever the solution is, I'm okay with the approach being "how do we do disposable items smarter?" Fast food has been making strides over the past few years with biodegradable papers for bags, wrappers, bowls (ideally this should be paired with available compost bins, of course).

 

[Ponderer]

While 'Are today's durable goods too low quality / too disposable?' is a valid question, I think it's a separate one from 'How do we reduce, reuse, or recycle one-time use, disposable items?' You're not going to get everyone who comes to the parks to bring their own reusable travel mugs, so if disposable cups need to be provided in some form, what should that form be?

My understanding with the wax-lined paper cups is they aren't necessarily easily recyclable, nor compostable. Plastic drink cups could be a solution if they actually provide convenient recycling at the parks. There's a whole lot of trash cans at Disney and not enough recycling. Surely there could be some kind of innovative solution that accepts & diverts remaining ice/liquid while taking the plastic to recycle? Biodegradable paper straws like at Animal Kingdom solves the straw problem. Whatever the solution is, I'm okay with the approach being "how do we do disposable items smarter?" Fast food has been making strides over the past few years with biodegradable papers for bags, wrappers, bowls (ideally this should be paired with available compost bins, of course).

This is all why Disney’s decision is valuable. It leads to the discussion, how can we do things that balance convenience and stewardship? The end goal isn’t to strip away people’s choices, but to provide better choices. The question is, who is going to provide the vision and imagination to lead the way? I hope Disney is one of those entities.

 

[Mikey15]

This is all why Disney’s decision is valuable. It leads to the discussion, how can we do things that balance convenience and stewardship? The end goal isn’t to strip away people’s choices, but to provide better choices. The question is, who is going to provide the vision and imagination to lead the way? I hope Disney is one of those entities.

I hope so too. They've certainly got the potential to be!

Walt's the guy who had a vision for things like this. I'm not sure the vision's been all there with the company lately with languishing monorails and haphazard additions, but they can definitely lead on something like this. I remember my surprise at the paper straws at my first AK trip and thinking the sense it made then.

 

[dakotix]

Talking about conservation...what about the switch to electric buses? All that diesel fuel must do more harm locally.

 

[AurumPunzel]

This is all why Disney’s decision is valuable. It leads to the discussion, how can we do things that balance convenience and stewardship? The end goal isn’t to strip away people’s choices, but to provide better choices. The question is, who is going to provide the vision and imagination to lead the way? I hope Disney is one of those entities.

I've always advocated better recycling and ways of making plastics greener and more sustainable, not to mention that I'd like to see a massive bioplastics revolution. My concern is that if too many companies jump on the paper straws and reusables bandwagon, then the carbon footprint would skyrocket massively, and we'd then have to be dealing with another environmental problem while simultaneously trying to deal with one. Worse, we'd see even more waste being generated, particularly with those cheap-and-nasty 99c NWPP cloth bags they're peddling in the Disney Stores that require 30 reuses to offset the equivalent of one plastic bag, and often fall apart before reaching that figure, thus resulting in said bag being disposed of, in the absence of a lifetime guarantee.

 

[UncleMike101]

Well........
Plastic lids are pretty much gone at Disney owned food vendors and a CM told me that when the current supply of plastic straws are used up they will dissapear as well.
The floors in most of the counter service establishment were splattered with sticky dried soda pop from guests sloshing their drinks while heading to a table.
Starbucks and Joffrey's still have lids and I imagine that they will continue to offer them since they likely want to avoid lawsuits from people scalded by hot coffee or tea spilled from an open top cup.
I suppose that they will have straws for some time as well since it's nearly impossible to drink an iced Mocha with whipped cream on top without one.

 

[jade1]

Talking about conservation...what about the switch to electric buses? All that diesel fuel must do more harm locally.

The gondola will eliminate some.

Or walls on air conditioned restaurants maybe?

 

[Mikey15]

Florida grid is mostly natural gas + some coal too. Is Disney planning on investing in solar generation in the Sunshine State? If it's clean electricity, they can crank that A/C all they want.

 

[jade1]

they can crank that A/C all they want.

They have been for decades.