Disney hops on the straw ban(dwagon)

The Magic Kingdom is ditching plastic straws.

In a statement on Thursday, Disney announced that all of its parks except Disney Tokyo will phase out plastic straws and stirrers by mid-2019. The company says that the move will eliminate 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers per year by doing so.

"Eliminating plastic straws and other plastic items are meaningful steps in our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, Bob Chapek, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products Chairman said in the statement. "These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals."

Although the statement said it'll eliminate single-use plastic in its parks, it didn't offer up a replacement. The straw ban, which was also embraced by Starbucks earlier this month, has been criticized by activists because it makes drinking inaccessible for some people with disabilities. People with disabilities have also criticized non-plastic alternatives, since they're potentially dangerous to those with food allergies, choking hazards, or too expensive.

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The company also announced plans to replace in-room amenities with refillable options in its hotels and cruise ships, reduce the amount of plastic shopping bags in its parks, and finally phase out styrofoam cups.

"These steps are part of our long-term effort to reduce single-use plastics, and we will continue recycling and responsibility disposing single-use waste that cannot be eliminated," the statement said.

We've reached out to Disney for clarification on how it plans to replace its plastic straws and if it will offer them to those who need it.

UPDATE: July 26, 2018, 4:47 p.m. PDT In an email, Director of External Communications and Media Relations Stephanie Christine Corzett said that "meeting the needs of guests with disabilities is extremely important to us."

"We are involved in discussions to identify and develop accesible, alternative options for those who need them," Corzett said. "Alternative straw options will be provided as necessary for our guests unable to utilize paper straws."

Corzett added that Disney's Services for Guests with Disabilities team would be available before and during visits to "accommodate guests with specific needs."

An earlier version of Disney’s statement noted that "meeting the needs of employees with disabilities is extremely important to us." Corzett clarified that she meant to say "guests." The statement has since been updated.