Starbucks responds to plastic straw ban backlash

Disability rights groups, in particular, have taken issue with new policy

Disability rights groups, in particular, have taken issue with new policy

WEBVTT DOWN ON POLLUTION. BUT AS MATT FLENER EXPLAINS SOME PEOPLE IN THE DISABLED COMMUNITY ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE DECISION. >> GET IT IN THERE, GOOD JOB BUDDY, AL BY YOURSELF. REPORTER: AT ABILITY KC ALLISON TAPKO’S. HELPING TEDDY TAKE A DRINK. THE SPEECH THERAPISTS WORKING WITH TEDDY TODAY, DEPEND ON STRAWS TO HELP TEACH PEOPLE TO. TAKE A DRINK WHEN THEY NEED ONE. >> SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, AN INDIVIDUAL GOING TO A COFFEE SHOP OR A STARBUCKS, OR WHEREVER, AND THEY DON’T HAVE STRAWS ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO DRINK THE COFFEE, ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT SOCIAL ASPECT. OF BEING ABLE TO MAKE FRIENDS. REPORTER: STARBUCKS WANTS TO ELIMINATE MORE THAN 1 BILLION STRAWS PER YEAR CUTTING DOWN ON WASTE. STARBUCKS IS TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BY GETTING RID OF STRAWS, BUT PEOPLE IN THE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY SAY THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED TOO. >> YES IT’S A GREAT MENTALITY AND WE’RE HEADED THERE, BUT IT’S ALSO A LUXURY. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY THEY MAY NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE OPTION OF GOING GREEN. REPORTER: KMBC GOT AN EMAILED STATEMENT FROM STARBUCKS TODAY. SAYING IT WILL WORK WITH THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY TO ENSURE WE CONTINUE TO MEET THEIR NEEDS GOING FORWRD. >> WORKING WITH TEDDY. REPORTER: THEY JUST HOPE HERE. THEY DON’T HAVE TO WORK THA

Updated: 1:02 PM CDT Jul 19, 2018

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Starbucks responds to plastic straw ban backlash

Disability rights groups, in particular, have taken issue with new policy

Updated: 1:02 PM CDT Jul 19, 2018

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Starbucks' recent announcement that it was to go plastic straw-free in all stores by the year 2020 was generally met with lots of praise. That said, there are plenty who've spoken out against the blanket plastic straw ban. Disability rights activists were planning a New York City protest against the new policy last weekend, but it was canceled after they heard from Starbucks, PBS reports.Groups like the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled and Disabled in Action remain concerned that if Starbucks eliminates plastic straws completely, people with disabilities would not be able to or comfortable consuming their beverages. On Friday, the coffee giant issued the following statement:Starbucks offers, and will continue to offer, straws to customers who need or request them in our stores. Starbucks recent announcement about straws will not impact the ability of those who need straws to access them. We take an inclusive design approach to all packaging to ensure that all customers will be able to enjoy their Starbucks beverages.Some were mollified by Starbucks' confirmation, others were concerned the company didn't specifically mention plastic straws, which was what the BCID requested. A Facebook post from Disability Rights Washington following Seattle's official plastic straw ban explained metal and paper straws "do not offer the combination of strength, flexibility and safety that plastic straws do. Metal straws become hot or cold and offer a risk of injury. Some people … will bite through paper straws and they dissolve if the person takes too long to drink and so forth.”“To be clear, they haven’t met our demands," executive director of the BCID, Joseph Rappaport, told PBS, "but we’re hoping they will after continuing the conversation.”The New York protest that was planned for Sunday was canceled after Starbucks reached out to the BCID.

was generally met with lots of praise. That said, there are plenty who've spoken out against the blanket plastic straw ban. Disability rights activists were planning a New York City protest against the new policy last weekend, but it was canceled after they heard from Starbucks, reports.

Groups like the and remain concerned that if Starbucks eliminates plastic straws completely, people with disabilities would not be able to or comfortable consuming their beverages.

On Friday, the coffee giant issued the following :

Starbucks offers, and will continue to offer, straws to customers who need or request them in our stores. Starbucks recent announcement about straws will not impact the ability of those who need straws to access them. We take an inclusive design approach to all packaging to ensure that all customers will be able to enjoy their Starbucks beverages.

Some were mollified by Starbucks' confirmation, others were concerned the company didn't specifically mention plastic straws, which was what the BCID requested.

A Facebook post from Disability Rights Washington following explained metal and paper straws "do not offer the combination of strength, flexibility and safety that plastic straws do. Metal straws become hot or cold and offer a risk of injury. Some people … will bite through paper straws and they dissolve if the person takes too long to drink and so forth.”

“To be clear, they haven’t met our demands," executive director of the BCID, Joseph Rappaport, told PBS, "but we’re hoping they will after continuing the conversation.”

The New York protest that was planned for Sunday was canceled after Starbucks reached out to the BCID.

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