Disney to ban plastic straws at all locations except Tokyo by 2019

The Walt Disney Company is joining the wave of those wanting to rid themselves of plastic straws and stirrers, hoping to ditch them by mid-2019. 

All owned and operated locations will take part in the ban – with the exception of Disney Tokyo – causing a reduction amounting for 175million straws and 13million stirrers a year.

‘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, according to ABC News. 

All owned and operated locations will take part in the ban – with the exception of Disney Tokyo

‘These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals.’ 

Disney hopes to reduce their plastic use even further, transitioning to refillable in-room amenities – a move that will cut plastic use by 80 percent.

They also hope to allow for the selling of more reusable bags, eventually decreasing the number of plastic bags they use. 

The ban will cause a reduction amounting for 175million straws and 13million stirrers a year

The ban will cause a reduction amounting for 175million straws and 13million stirrers a year

‘Disney has always been inspired by nature — and it is a uniquely powerful brand that inspires, educates, and entertains, all at the same time,’ added Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International.

Disney hopes to reduce their plastic use even further, transitioning to refillable in-room amenities - a move that will cut plastic use by 80 percent

Disney hopes to reduce their plastic use even further, transitioning to refillable in-room amenities – a move that will cut plastic use by 80 percent

Conservation International is a non-profit that has worked extensively with Disney on environmental and sustainability initiatives.

‘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,’ Sanjayan continued. 

‘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.’ 

The news comes after Starbucks announced that it would be ditching single-use plastic straws by 2020. They unveiled an alternative plastic cap, when the announcement was made earlier this month. 

McDonalds announced in June that it would also rid themselves of plastic straws for their U.K. and Ireland locations, starting in September. 

The news comes after Starbucks announced that it would be ditching single-use plastic straws by 2020

The news comes after Starbucks announced that it would be ditching single-use plastic straws by 2020

They unveiled an alternative plastic cap, when the announcement was made earlier this month

They unveiled an alternative plastic cap, when the announcement was made earlier this month

Vail Resorts plans to phase out plastic straws as well, ditching them from their Lake Tahoe, Colorado, Utah, British Columbia, Vermont and Midwest locations. 

Santa Barbara passed their ban unanimously in the Santa Barbara city council on July 17 and called for possible jail time for those who didn’t comply.

The first violation of the straw ban draws a warning. The second violation, however, is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail term not exceeding six months. 

Other cities, including Seattle, Malibu and Santa Monica, have passed straw bans in the past month, and San Francisco is set to become the latest city to join the list after a unanimous supervisors vote on Tuesday.     



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