Walt Disney said that “conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us.” The Walt Disney Company has taken that message to heart and by mid-2019 will eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated location around the world. Their commitment will amount in a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually!
In addition, within the next couple of years, Disney will be transitioning to refillable in-room amenities in their hotels and cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent. Disney also commits to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in their owned and operated parks and cruise line. Guests will have the option to purchase reusable bags for a price. Finally, the Walt Disney Company will complete their dedication to conservation and will work to eliminate polystyrene cups. The Walt Disney Company states, "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."
“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.”
To learn more about the Walt Disney Company's conservation efforts click here
News & Media Source: Disney Parks Blog