News Disney removing plastic straws and more by mid-2019

[jaklgreen]

Michael Crichton's classic 1969 novel was the stuff of nightmares for me when I read it as a teen. I also had nightmares after reading Gerry Davis and Kit Pedlar's 1971 novel, Mutant 59: The Plastic Eaters, about a plastic eating virus pandemic that threatens civilization. Great stuff!


I think you can. It's known as restaurants that don't have take-out. For instance, doing take-out for a seven-course Victoria & Alberts meal just does not make sense. The same goes for The French Laundry or Per Se.

I'm not sure what your point is, could you explain further?

I am saying that not every single restaurant in the country can do away with take out. There are shut ins and disabled that can not leave their home. Some have no other option then have food delivered to them.

 

[Lensman]

I am saying that not every single restaurant in the country can do away with take out. There are shut ins and disabled that can not leave their home. Some have no other option then have food delivered to them.

I see. I agree that take-out is a need that should be allowed to be fulfilled by some restaurants. But I think restaurants should be allowed to decide for themselves whether they want to provide take-out or whether they want to be eat-in only.

Who is suggesting that every single restaurant in the country should do away with take-out?

 

[Nubs70]

WDW needs to use metal utensils.

 

[jaklgreen]

Who is suggesting that every single restaurant in the country should do away with take-out?

I thought you were. LOL

 

[21stamps]

And what about the people that worked for the companies that manufactured the straws the toiletries? They just lost their jobs, that is a big deal. And no I will never use the community toiletries in the room that is just nasty, I can tell you the new norm for a lot of people will be ringing their own toiletries, and straws and plastic bags for purchases (the reusable bags will allow expensive purchases to be soaked by Florida rain) in the end it will be a lot more plastic

I always bring my own toiletries because I don’t like the offerings at most hotels, especially Disney ones.

 

[ToTBellHop]

WDW needs to use metal utensils.

Guests should only eat with their hands. Call it “paleo eating.”

Le Cellier could ladle cheddar cheese soup right into the guests’ mouth.

 

[Lensman]

You can not force everyone to sit and eat at your restaurant because you do not want to do takeout.

I thought you were. LOL

I thought you were saying that no restaurant should force everyone to eat-in rather than take-out. No?

If not, what were you trying to say?

 

[jaklgreen]

I thought you were saying that no restaurant should force everyone to eat-in rather than take-out. No?

If not, what were you trying to say?

Maybe I misunderstood. I thought they were promoting that all restaurants have dine in only with no carry out option like that college to save on the plastic take out containers and reduce waste.

 

[GoofGoof]

Paper straws present a chocking hazard to disabled people and children as they get soggy ang gum up. You have to gulp the drink down or your straw becomes a soggy unusable mess. All it is going to cause is just one more item people have to lug around the parks with them so if people are buying them at home and bringing them with them it's not cutting down on plastic use at all.

I was at the Philadelphia Zoo on Sunday (finally a beautiful day without rain on the weekend) and I saw at least a dozen kids choking on the paper straws there

Do you bring straws from home when you go to DAK? Nobody else did either.

And what about the people that worked for the companies that manufactured the straws the toiletries? They just lost their jobs, that is a big deal.

There should be a bunch of openings at the companies that make paper straws and since they have straw making experience on their resume they should be a lock to get hired.

And no I will never use the community toiletries in the room that is just nasty, I can tell you the new norm for a lot of people will be ringing their own toiletries, and straws and plastic bags for purchases (the reusable bags will allow expensive purchases to be soaked by Florida rain) in the end it will be a lot more plastic

I think a lot of people already bring their own toiletries to any hotel. I have no scientific evidence of this, but a lot of people generally have their favorite products (especially women). Personally, I will wash my hair with pretty much anything they provide so it’s one less thing for me to pack. Outside of regular visitors a lot of people won’t realize there’s not small bottles until they checkin.

I have serious doubts that many people will bring their own straws or bags. If it’s raining (which happens frequently) paper bags are going to be a problem, but I assume the reusable bags will be big sellers on those days. Or if people have a backpack, diaper bag or larger purse with them they will just shove purchases in there.

I fail to see how it’s a lot more plastic. If Disney no longer provides plastic straws or bags and even if everyone brings plastic straws and bags from home isn’t it a wash. There’s no more plastic, just the same amount from a different source. For shampoo, there will be less plastic unless people buy hotel size bottles and bring them (most won’t) then it’s a wash.

 

[Gitson Shiggles]

Do you bring straws from home when you go to DAK? Nobody else did either.

I have brought them to AK in the past, and I was already planning on bringing them for our upcoming trip.

 

[GoofGoof]

I have brought them to AK in the past, and I was already planning on bringing them for our upcoming trip.

Fair enough. By nobody I meant 99% of the people. You are the rare 1%

 

[s8film40]

Fair enough. By nobody I meant 99% of the people. You are the rare 1%

I take straws too! I don’t even use them myself, they’re for my 4 year old. We use a toothbrush holder to store them in, it’s a nice way to carry them.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

When they started this crap in Vail last year, after reading their stupid sign detailing how it was saving the earth, I was tempted to go buy the number of straws they said they were keeping out of the waste stream and just throw them away out of spite. I only talked myself out of it because the cost/benefit equation didn't work. However, since this stupid movement is gaining momentum, I am going to purchase enough straws that I can use two a day for the rest of my life (calculated for me to live to 100 years old).

Perhaps we should organize a "boycott" of Disney sponsors, or have a "March on Mainstreet USA"?

I in no way think Disney is evil I just think their motive for this is just to jump on the bandwagon of what is politically correct right now, It's kind of like how the ruined the auction scene in POC because they had to be PC because someone is offended.

I have nothing nice to say. I won’t say anything.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I have brought them to AK in the past, and I was already planning on bringing them for our upcoming trip.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Disney's environmental consciousness has always baffled me. Sunshine Seasons, at The Land pavilion, has buckets for recycling bottles and plasticware, which are located on top of the trash receptacles. However, a similar recycling program cannot be found anywhere else in EPCOT. Sanaa, at Kidani Village, uses paper straws, because of the potential harm to sea turtles, but, as recent as last week, Flame Tree Barbecue, in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, was distributing plastic straws.

To me, this is largely a cost saving measure. Is any executive truly concerned about the amount of plastic drinkware used during the Flower & Garden or Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT?

Also, plastic water bottles are a leading environmental concern. Disney could stop selling bottled water and have reusable bottle filling stations. However, I doubt Disney will stop selling Smart Water for $4.50 per bottle.

I do wonder if the program will be implemented with some exception. Shared toiletries would certainly irritate me if I was paying $1,000 per night for a lake view concierge room in the Hawaii Longhouse at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

 

[flynnibus]

Maybe I misunderstood. I thought they were promoting that all restaurants have dine in only with no carry out option like that college to save on the plastic take out containers and reduce waste.

I used it as an example of the type of change people can make in the spirit of 'reducing waste' that have actual significant impact in how the product is consumed, and impact on customers. Straw-gate is peanuts in comparison.. not the kind of massive disruption some think people will be packing to avoid, etc..

 

[GoofGoof]

To me, this is largely a cost saving measure.

For the toiletries, yes it’s a cost savings for sure.
Paper straws cost more than plastic. It’s not a huge increase in cost, but definitely not a cost savings.
For the bags, they will at least make some money from selling reusable bags so even if paper costs more than plastic (not even sure it does) it will more than make up for it.

So 2 of 3 programs have an economic benefit which should more than cover the additional cost of the 3rd program.

 

[Nextinline]

Did you ever see the classic sci-fi film The Andromeda Strain?

I never have- looking into it now!

 

[Lensman]

I do wonder if the program will be implemented with some exception. Shared toiletries would certainly irritate me if I was paying $1,000 per night for a lake view concierge room in the Hawaii Longhouse at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

Prepare to be disappointed at some point. Aquamenities is making inroads into luxury hotel chains. Apparently even some Four Seasons locations are switching over.

 

[AEfx]

You have to gulp the drink down or your straw becomes a soggy unusable mess.

This is why I won't use them. Plain and simple. If I am paying $3.29+ tax for a cold drink, I'm going to enjoy it and probably sip on it for quite awhile.

I'm not going to complain too loudly, though, bigger fish to fry - I'll just grab a handful at McDonalds or wherever else and toss them in my park bag. No biggie. They can send the plastic police after me.