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

Not until either companies start to adopt them en-masse or the existing plastics companies start to transition to plant-based bioplastics, particularly once they feel the pressure of their products being boycotted through phaseouts and bans. As I've mentioned before, it'll only be a matter of time before the shift from petroplastics to bioplastics starts to gain momentum, since some do feel that plastic is still very useful and has managed to afford the convenience that pretty much everyone takes for granted.

and that can take time to get to the point - from more suppliers and more manufacturers and the technology improving so production is cheaper, etc.

It's like anything - for example, my company recently installed the largest solar field in the county. They did it partly to be good corporate citizens and as it is part of our message of sustainability - but also be cause the cost has come down to the point that they will pay for themselves in 10 years while having a life span of 17 years - so it also makes fiscal sense

It takes some early adopters that are willing to lose money on it - and I am sure Disney could do that (though they would need a lot of it if they switched out everything all at once) - but when it starts to make fiscal sense (or at least a minimal fiscal negative) and is the "right" thing to do, that is when things align
 
and that can take time to get to the point - from more suppliers and more manufacturers and the technology improving so production is cheaper, etc.

It's like anything - for example, my company recently installed the largest solar field in the county. They did it partly to be good corporate citizens and as it is part of our message of sustainability - but also be cause the cost has come down to the point that they will pay for themselves in 10 years while having a life span of 17 years - so it also makes fiscal sense

It takes some early adopters that are willing to lose money on it - and I am sure Disney could do that (though they would need a lot of it if they switched out everything all at once) - but when it starts to make fiscal sense (or at least a minimal fiscal negative) and is the "right" thing to do, that is when things align
True. Even my country is trying to push towards green zones in major cities, despite ZEVs having yet to come down in price to a point that, for example, a Nissan Leaf becoming just as affordable as the equivalent petrol-powered car of the same size and equipment spec, and for range to improve to the extent that one can do a journey from, let's say London to Glasgow, without the need to recharge overnight somewhere in the West Midlands or Lancashire before continuing the journey.

As you've rightly said, early adoption is a gamble. If Disney can find a middle ground to maintain their goal while reducing the amount of complaints, concerns and unintended consequences, it would be worth it and we'll hardly be able to tell the difference, except of course that the single-use food-and-drink bioplastics will cause less, if any harm to the environment.
 
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As you've rightly said, early adoption is a gamble. If Disney can find a middle ground to maintain their goal while reducing the amount of complaints, concerns and unintended consequences, it would be worth it and we'll hardly be able to tell the difference, except of course that the single-use food-and-drink bioplastics will cause less, if any harm to the environment.

was wondering what they could do that would be a "first step" - was thinking maybe they and Starbucks could partner and say that in 2019 all Starbucks in WDW will use bioplastic lids and they will share in the cost and then that can be a first step for both companies to see how it goes or something and also get to share the risk

Just an idea, but I think something like that vs saying they are changing 100% of the plastic they use to bioplastic is more realistic
 
Wait.... I know Disney isn't providing straws. Are they confiscating them out of bags (other than AK)?

Some try, which is why you have to know ahead of time it is allowed and you just let them know and then they confirm with someone else. We keep them in bags though, because security does handle them and even if they are in a drink like mine was once, they FELT it to make sure it wasn't a disposable one. :crazy2::scared:
 


Some try, which is why you have to know ahead of time it is allowed and you just let them know and then they confirm with someone else. We keep them in bags though, because security does handle them and even if they are in a drink like mine was once, they FELT it to make sure it wasn't a disposable one. :crazy2::scared:
But that was my question. Are they confiscating disposable straws (other than AK)?
 
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Yes, they are only allowing reusable straws in. It's of course only if they see them, some security officers are more thorough than others.
I can see that becoming a huge issue once plastic strawmageddon really starts to kick in, especially when disabled people can't drink out of paper alternatives and can't even use the reusables due to the amount of effort that's required to clean them, not to mention that they're not always going to be satisfactory.
 


So what happens to the disposable straws that security takes? Are they tossed in the trash?


I had no idea you couldn't bring disposable straws into the park with you (except for AK).
 
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Yes, they are only allowing reusable straws in. It's of course only if they see them, some security officers are more thorough than others.
Then that's a far different policy than has been communicated so far. I hope they have added disposable straws to their list of banned items.

So what happens to the disposable straws that security takes? Are they tossed in the trash?
Ironic, huh?
 
We didn't even know it was a policy, we just use reusable straws. Some of them were metal, which is why I was questioning them taking it away. As I said though, it's different with everyone, just like any rules at Disney.
 
So how many of us will now stuff disposable straws down our pants until after the metal detectors?
 
But that was my question. Are they confiscating disposable straws (other than AK)?

Yes, they are only allowing reusable straws in. It's of course only if they see them, some security officers are more thorough than others.


???????????

I've been here a week and there has been straws available in straw dispensers at every quick serve restaurant I have been in. No lids were given nor available at the self dispense spots but did see a man in a wheelchair ask for a lid at Pinocchio Haus and given one.

I imagine they will be there until they run out but so far they were plentiful.
 
Yes, they are only allowing reusable straws in. It's of course only if they see them, some security officers are more thorough than others.
Seriously?! That’s ridiculous. Only in AK is it a safety issue.

The ship has sailed — the straw has been purchased. They’re seriously going to prevent you from USING it on WDW property?

Strikes me as jumping the shark.
 
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Seriously?! That’s ridiculous. Only in AK is it a safety issue.

The ship has sailed — the straw has been purchased. They’re seriously going to prevent you from USING it on WDW property?

Strikes me as jumping the shark.
The entire issue has become a national joke as people are coming to the realization that Americans consider the ubiquitous straw to be a necessary part of our "on the go" society.
Try drinking from an open cup while tooling down a crowded four lane road during rush hour in any large city.
You either can end up with your syrupy soda in your lap or you can run into another vehicle while tipping the cup up to take a drink.
The first is uncomfortable, the latter can easily be fatal.
While the issue of plastic pollution needs to be addressed, simply banning one of the least damaging environmental offenders, straws, is nothing more than a knee jerk reaction followed by a "feel good", albeit mostly worthless move, banning of an item that most Americans see as a useful utensil.
Research into biodegradable plastics is the most likely viable answer to the problem and should be addressed by environmental groups instead of simply demanding that Americans give up a utensil that they've come to rely on.
 
The entire issue has become a national joke as people are coming to the realization that Americans consider the ubiquitous straw to be a necessary part of our "on the go" society.
Try drinking from an open cup while tooling down a crowded four lane road during rush hour in any large city.
You either can end up with your syrupy soda in your lap or you can run into another vehicle while tipping the cup up to take a drink.
The first is uncomfortable, the latter can easily be fatal.
While the issue of plastic pollution needs to be addressed, simply banning one of the least damaging environmental offenders, straws, is nothing more than a knee jerk reaction followed by a "feel good", albeit mostly worthless move, banning of an item that most Americans see as a useful utensil.
Research into biodegradable plastics is the most likely viable answer to the problem and should be addressed by environmental groups instead of simply demanding that Americans give up a utensil that they've come to rely on.
Not to mention having the reusables culture forced upon us, or at least being promoted in a way similar to how militant vegans shove their ideologies down people's throats, when we all know that it's never going to always be practical to lug every single piece of reusable item around with us all the time, not to mention that it's never going to make a huge dent in the 90%. It's incompatible with the way Western society functions, especially since we live in a world where everything is now pretty much within easy reach. I still believe we can achieve a fair balance between convenience and helping the environment, but at the same time, I don't believe in 'feel good' virtue-signalling at all.
 
Agreed, it's stupid but my main irk is that it's not a well known 'rule' and it's only followed by some. It drives me nuts! We run into the most trouble at rope drop, when it's completely DEAD and security has nothing else going on!! Whenever they get busy, they half-*** the bag check, except for the Studios, those guys there were pretty serious any time of day we got there! LOL
 
The problem is how we dispose of the straws, water bottles, drinks cans / bottles , trash in general and such... Should be the focus... not the product itself... Its crazy...

Honestly there are so much more important environmental issues at hand, melting ice caps, oil in the gulf, dumping in our oceans, the sheer number of water bottles that are thrown away everyday, What gets me is someone standing there on TV with a plastic bottle Evian in hand and saying that straws are the problem... HUH....

What about people that need straws to be able to drink, I guess we should ostracize them for needing straw to survive...

What about kids, your going to take straws away from your kids... Your going to give your 2 or 3 year old a cup with no straw ... wait a minute what about the lids I guess we should get rid of plastic lids to.... as well as to go cups, or red solo cups...napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, medicine bottles, milk cartons, soda bottles, shampoo and body wash containers... the list goes on and on....

Well I will be that person that will start bring my own straws to the parks, and keeping them in my purse so when we are eating out as well....

How we dispose of the trash, plastic or other wise... is the real issue... not the product itself... Just having to say that again... Focus on solutions for the long term.
 
The problem is how we dispose of the straws, water bottles, drinks cans / bottles , trash in general and such... Should be the focus... not the product itself... Its crazy...

Honestly there are so much more important environmental issues at hand, melting ice caps, oil in the gulf, dumping in our oceans, the sheer number of water bottles that are thrown away everyday, What gets me is someone standing there on TV with a plastic bottle Evian in hand and saying that straws are the problem... HUH....

What about people that need straws to be able to drink, I guess we should ostracize them for needing straw to survive...

What about kids, your going to take straws away from your kids... Your going to give your 2 or 3 year old a cup with no straw ... wait a minute what about the lids I guess we should get rid of plastic lids to.... as well as to go cups, or red solo cups...napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, medicine bottles, milk cartons, soda bottles, shampoo and body wash containers... the list goes on and on....

Well I will be that person that will start bring my own straws to the parks, and keeping them in my purse so when we are eating out as well....

How we dispose of the trash, plastic or other wise... is the real issue... not the product itself... Just having to say that again... Focus on solutions for the long term.

First thought..... AMEN !!!!

Forty years ago, if you had told me grocery stores would have half an aisle just for bottled water, I'd say you're crazy. Who would buy bottled water.

And as others have said, when disney stops selling balloons, bottle water, or products wrapped in 2 pounds of plastic, then tell me you are saving the earth.
 
The problem is how we dispose of the straws, water bottles, drinks cans / bottles , trash in general and such... Should be the focus... not the product itself... Its crazy...

Honestly there are so much more important environmental issues at hand, melting ice caps, oil in the gulf, dumping in our oceans, the sheer number of water bottles that are thrown away everyday, What gets me is someone standing there on TV with a plastic bottle Evian in hand and saying that straws are the problem... HUH....

What about people that need straws to be able to drink, I guess we should ostracize them for needing straw to survive...

What about kids, your going to take straws away from your kids... Your going to give your 2 or 3 year old a cup with no straw ... wait a minute what about the lids I guess we should get rid of plastic lids to.... as well as to go cups, or red solo cups...napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, medicine bottles, milk cartons, soda bottles, shampoo and body wash containers... the list goes on and on....

Well I will be that person that will start bring my own straws to the parks, and keeping them in my purse so when we are eating out as well....

How we dispose of the trash, plastic or other wise... is the real issue... not the product itself... Just having to say that again... Focus on solutions for the long term.
My sentiments exactly. Sooner or later, all those alternatives that are being forced upon us because of poor disposal are, rather ironically, going to cause even more environmental problems, because not only do they have higher carbon footprints than plastic, their production often has the side effect of adversely affecting the surrounding area. One only has to look deeply into how paper products are made in order to see that paper straws aren't going to the long-term answer environmentalists claim.
 

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