(KGTV) - Disney will eliminate single-use plastic straws and stirrers from its parks and other company locations around the world by mid-2019, and environmentally-conscious changes are in the works at Disney hotels and cruise ships.
In a post on the Disney Parks Blog Thursday, Dr. Mark Penning said:
Today, we’re sharing another important step in our journey of environmental stewardship. By mid-2019, The Walt Disney Company will 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.
In addition, over the next few years we’re transitioning to refillable in-room amenities in our hotels and on our cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent. We will also reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in our owned and operated parks and on our cruise line, offering guests the option to purchase reusable bags at a nominal price. Finally, we will complete our work to eliminate polystyrene cups across our global owned and operated business. These steps are part of our long-term effort to reduce single-use plastics, and we will continue recycling and responsibly disposing single-use waste that cannot be eliminated.
Penning is Disney Parks’ vice president of Animals, Science and Environment.
SO LONG TO STRAWS:
- Starbucks is ditching plastic straws
- SeaWorld moves to ditch single-use plastic straws, bags from all its theme parks
- No more straws at MGM Resorts properties
ABC News reported Disney Tokyo is not among the parks that will get rid of plastic straws.
Disney’s decision comes after major companies such as Starbucks and McDonald’s announced their own plans on plastic straws.
