Disney Expands Environmental Commitment By Reducing Plastic Waste in Parks and Resorts
The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to environmental stewardship goes back to our founding more than 60 years ago. Walt himself said that “conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us.” The company has taken that message to heart and acted on that commitment in big and small ways around the world.
In fact, since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $70 million to reverse the decline of wildlife around the world. The company has also reduced its net greenhouse gas emissions by 41 percent since 2012 and diverted nearly 50 percent of waste from landfills and incineration in 2017, making significant progress on the long-term goal of attaining a net zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste, while conserving water resources.
Today, Disney shared another important step in the 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 the company will transition to refillable in-room amenities in its hotels and on cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent. Disney will also reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in theme parks and on cruise ships, offering guests the option to purchase reusable bags at a nominal price. Finally, polystyrene cups will be eliminated. These steps are part of Disney's long-term effort to reduce single-use plastics while still recycling and responsibly disposing single-use waste that cannot be eliminated.
“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. “These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals.”
“Disney has always been inspired by nature – and it is a uniquely powerful brand that inspires, educates, and entertains, all at the same time,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. “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. 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.”
In addition, over the next few years the company will transition to refillable in-room amenities in its hotels and on cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent. Disney will also reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in theme parks and on cruise ships, offering guests the option to purchase reusable bags at a nominal price. Finally, polystyrene cups will be eliminated. These steps are part of Disney's long-term effort to reduce single-use plastics while still recycling and responsibly disposing single-use waste that cannot be eliminated.
“Disney has always been inspired by nature – and it is a uniquely powerful brand that inspires, educates, and entertains, all at the same time,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. “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. 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.”
IMAGES: © 2018 Walt Disney World Resort. All Rights Reserved.
It's nice that Disney is cracking down on plastic pollution corroding our oceans and nature all around us. With the plastics ban sweeping across the U.S. currently, they seemed to want to join that movement. Since it's only 80%, there's still that option available for people who still want to use plastic straws which is respectful (unlike Seattle and Santa Barbara where you face possible imprisonment for even handing them out when a restaurant customer requests for one). There are concerns with this policy action. I don't like the part where you have to pay for reusable bags. No thanks. They don't cost much to produce (assuming they're like most ones seen for grocery shopping) so it comes off as greed on Disney's end. Also, how are we supposed to drink out of the glasses provided at the restaurants? With cardboard straws (no thanks)? I guess there's always the old fashion way and drink it like at a pub. That's all I got.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, millions of plastic ziploc bags will be handed out for free at Splash Mountain...
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