Maya Ellison
Florida's plastic ban aims to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics and mitigate global plastic pollution. While the state prohibits local authorities from implementing public plastic legislation, some cities like Orlando, home to Walt Disney World, have taken measures against single-use plastics. In 2019, Orlando banned single-use plastics in city venues and parks, and Disney World has since banned plastic straws and stirrers across its locations. Despite some steps towards sustainability, petitions continue to call for further action from Disney World and other theme parks to reduce single-use plastics, highlighting the impact on oceans, wildlife, and human health. With Florida's new laws taking effect from January 1, 2024, it remains to be seen if these will further influence Disney World's plastic usage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Florida's plastic ban affect Disney World? | No, Florida does not have a plastic ban. However, there are some laws that will affect Disney World guests, such as the "Move Over" law and the CS/SB 76: State Park Campsite Reservations. |
| What is Disney World's stance on plastic usage? | Walt Disney World has taken steps towards being more environmentally friendly. They have recycle bins for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, use metal cutlery, and have banned single-use plastic straws and stirrers at all locations globally. |
| What is Florida's stance on plastic usage? | Florida prohibits local authorities from implementing public plastic legislation. Only city venues and parks have single-use plastic bans. Individuals and businesses in Orlando are free to sell and use single-use plastics. |
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What You'll Learn
Disney World's plastic straw ban
Disney World has been taking steps to reduce its consumption of single-use plastics. In 2019, Disney World banned all single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated locations across the globe. The company replaced plastic straws with paper straws at all of its theme parks, and also started reducing plastic lids. This amounts to a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually.
The decision to eliminate plastic straws was made as part of Disney's environmental initiative and its long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products, stated that:
> "Eliminating plastic straws and other plastic items are meaningful steps in our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. These new global efforts help to reduce our environmental footprint and advance our long-term sustainability goals."
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Florida's plastic preemption laws
The history of Florida's plastic preemption laws can be traced back to 2008 when the state passed a bill restricting local authorities from taxing, limiting, or banning single-use plastics. This bill was driven by special interests and corporate influence, prioritizing economic concerns over environmental ones. As a result, cities in Florida have been unable to implement comprehensive bans on single-use plastic items, and their efforts have been limited to specific contexts, such as city-owned properties, parks, or during city events.
Despite the preemption laws, some cities in Florida have taken creative approaches to reduce single-use plastics. For example, they have banned plastic utensils, straws, and polystyrene products, which are not explicitly mentioned in the preemption laws. Additionally, cities have focused on regulating single-use plastics on public property, such as city buildings, beaches, and parks. These local governments have utilized the autonomy they have over their properties to implement these restrictions.
The impact of Florida's plastic preemption laws has been felt across the state, including in popular tourist destinations like Orlando, home to Walt Disney World. While Disney has made some efforts to reduce single-use plastics, such as providing recycle bins and using metal cutlery in some restaurants, the absence of comprehensive state-level regulations means that there is still significant work to be done.
There have been attempts to challenge Florida's plastic preemption laws. In 2024, during the Florida Legislative Session, two bills (HB 1641 and SB 1126) were introduced, which, if passed, would have further restricted local governments' ability to regulate single-use plastics. Fortunately, these bills were vetoed, preserving the existing local regulations. Additionally, bills have been proposed to repeal the preemption laws altogether, giving power back to local municipalities to make decisions about single-use plastics. However, these repeal bills have not yet passed, and the struggle between local autonomy and state preemption continues.
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Disney World's other anti-plastic measures
Disney World has been taking steps to reduce its consumption of single-use plastics and become more environmentally friendly. Here are some of Disney World's other anti-plastic measures:
Recycling
Disney World has a strong recycling program, providing recycle bins for plastic bottles and aluminium cans throughout the park.
Reusable Cutlery and Straws
Some restaurants in Disney World, such as Coranado Springs Resort's Pepper Market and Satu'il Canteen in Animal Kingdom, use metal cutlery that can be washed and reused, reducing single-use plastic cutlery. Similarly, Disney's Animal Kingdom uses paper straws, and Disney's Water Parks have banned straws altogether to protect their filters.
Refillable Water Bottles
Disney World offers free water at any Quick-Service restaurant, encouraging guests to bring their refillable water bottles instead of relying on single-use plastic bottles.
Plastic Bag Reduction
In 2022, Disney World began phasing out small plastic shopping bags, with some stores offering reusable bags instead.
Plant-Based Dining Options
Disney World has been exploring plant-based dining options, which can help reduce the use of plastic associated with meat packaging.
While Disney World has implemented these measures, there is still room for further progress in reducing single-use plastics and encouraging eco-friendly alternatives. As a major player in the theme park industry, Disney can play a significant role in influencing other theme parks to follow suit and protect the environment.
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Florida's plastic cleanup efforts
While Florida has not implemented a statewide ban on single-use plastics, local governments and communities are taking initiatives to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment. For example, the city of Orlando, where Disney World is located, has taken steps to address single-use plastic pollution. In 2019, the Orlando City Commissioners banned single-use straws, plastic bags, utensils, and polystyrene items at city venues and parks. The city now encourages the use of biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable alternatives. Additionally, Orlando's city council regulates single-use plastics at locations it manages, operates from, or owns, despite preemption laws that restrict local authorities from taxing, limiting, or banning single-use plastics.
Community organizations and conservation groups in Florida also play a vital role in plastic cleanup efforts. Groups such as Audubon Florida and local sea turtle rescue groups organize beach cleanups and volunteer opportunities to remove plastic debris from beaches, parks, and waterways. These efforts are crucial in tackling the visible and prolific threat of plastic pollution in Florida's marine environments.
Additionally, educational campaigns, such as the Plastic-Free Cities campaign by the Ocean Conservancy in Miami-Dade County, aim to raise awareness and engage youth and businesses in reducing single-use plastics. Florida cleanup groups are actively involved in collecting and removing plastic waste from the environment, with hundreds of thousands of pounds of single-use plastics collected annually.
While there is no specific mention of a plastic ban directly affecting Disney World, the theme park has taken some steps towards becoming more environmentally friendly. Disney World and Universal Studios Florida have implemented measures such as providing recycle bins for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, using metal cutlery that can be washed and reused, and opting for paper straws or banning straws in certain areas. These efforts contribute to Florida's overall plastic cleanup and waste reduction goals.
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New Florida laws affecting Disney World
While there is no statewide plastic ban in Florida, the city of Orlando, where Disney World is located, has implemented some regulations on single-use plastics. In 2019, the Orlando City Commissioners banned single-use straws, plastic bags, utensils, and polystyrene items at city venues and parks. The city now uses contractors who provide biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable alternatives to single-use plastics.
Despite these efforts, the state of Florida has passed preemption laws that restrict local authorities from taxing, limiting, or banning single-use plastics. This includes a bill introduced in 2008 that prohibits local governments from regulating single-use plastics like plastic bags and Styrofoam on their own property.
However, this has not deterred advocacy for further action against single-use plastics in Florida. Online petitions targeting Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida aim to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics to help combat global plastic pollution and protect the oceans. Some restaurants within Disney World, such as Coronado Springs Resort's Pepper Market and the Satu'li Canteen in Animal Kingdom's Pandora, have already taken steps toward reducing single-use plastic consumption by using metal cutlery and paper straws.
In addition to the ongoing discussions surrounding plastic regulations, several new Florida laws will directly affect Disney World guests starting in 2024. Governor Ron DeSantis has signed bills that expand the "Move Over" law, requiring drivers to yield to specific vehicles, and introduce an advanced booking system for Florida residents planning to camp at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. These laws highlight the importance of adhering to state regulations even within the fantasy world of Disney World.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Florida does not have a plastic ban, so there are no related restrictions at Disney World.
Yes, Disney has committed to reducing plastic waste and has implemented various recycling and waste management programs.
Disney World is encouraging guests to bring their own reusable bottles and providing refillable mug programs. They are also working with vendors to reduce single-use plastic packaging and increase recycling and composting efforts.
