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A Starbucks official reached out to disability rights activists on Saturday, the day before a protest against his recent ban on plastic straws, according to several disability rights groups. ] After Starbucks announced on July 9 the phasing out of plastic straws from its stores by 2020, disability rights activists were concerned that the policy would exclude certain People with Disabilities. Several New York-based groups, including the Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Handicapped and Persons with Disabilities, had planned to demonstrate in front of a Union Square Star Square on Sunday after the annual Pride of Persons with Disabilities Parade.
Activists hoped the demonstration would help It was dissolved after a phone call with Rebecca Zimmer, Starbucks' global director for the environment, who has contacted the Center for the Independence of the Disabled of Brooklyn to discuss the policy.
"This was clearly an answer to our protest plans," said Joseph Rappaport, executive director of the Center for The Independence of the Disabled of Brooklyn (BCID).
Starbucks issued a statement Friday stating that the straws would be available to all who request to use them. "Starbucks bid, and continue to offer, straws to customers who need it or who request it in our stores, "the statement said.
The leaders of BCID say that they want Starbucks to ensure that disposable plastic straws are available, without question, to those who request it. At Saturday's call, Zimmer said that Starbucks would provide straws to anyone who asks for it, but has not confirmed that they would be plastic, according to Rappaport.
"To be clear, they have not responded to our requests, but we hope that they will do so after continuing the conversation," Rappaport said.
Zimmer was not available to comment on Sunday. "We are pleased with the result and look forward to ongoing discussions on this topic," Starbucks spokesman Sanja Gould told the NewsHour Weekend via e-mail.
The announcement made by Starbucks to phase out all plastic straws from their stores has been hailed by many environmentalists. But people with disabilities who depend on plastic straws to eat, drink and live their daily lives say that the ban on straws would hurt a lot in their community and that they were not included in the conversation .
"If you think about it, a straw, it looks so small and insignificant.But this seemingly insignificant thing shows just how little interest policymakers and business owners have in us or want to get our comments, "said Sharon Shapiro-Lacks, board member of BCID and general manager of Yad HaChazakah, a Jewish organization advocating"
"Eliminating plastic straws can bring many people with disabilities like me not being able to eat or drink in a restaurant, in a cafe … it's more than just a convenience – it's a necessity for people like us. "
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Starbucks is not the only company to take action. in plastic Plastic straw banners have become increasingly popular online, with celebrities putting their weight behind the problem and social media users using the #stopsucking and #plasticfreeocean hashtags to show their support. Companies like McDonalds, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Ikea and Hyatt are also working to phase out plastic straws.
Seattle became the first major city to ban straws earlier this month, and others like New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC, are considering passing a law to do the same. Scotland, Taiwan, Australia and Costa Rica have also passed legislation on plastic straw. The Seattle law allows companies to keep plastic straws for people who need them.
A painful viral video dating from 2015, showing a marine biologist removing a plastic straw stuck in the nose of a sea turtle, inspired according to conservationists working to ban straws. According to Rafael Espinal, who drafted a bill banning plastic straws in New York, banned straws seem to be an easy win for many ecologists and politicians. York City.
Starbucks said they were committed to finding plastic straw alternatives that work for everyone. But disability rights advocates say they may not exist yet. Plastic straws are flexible, durable and can withstand high temperatures in case the user needs them to drink hot coffee or soup, for example. At the moment, supporters agree that all straw alternatives do not seem to be able to do the same thing.
"Other types of straws simply do not offer the combination of strength, flexibility, and safety that plastic straws do," said Washington in an open letter to Seattle City Council . in an illustration photo in Loughborough, Great Britain, April 19, 2018. Photo by Darren Staples / Reuters
Paper straws become soggy and disintegrate, which could pose a risk of d & # 39; choking. Biodegradable straws can not withstand high temperatures. Stainless steel straws are not flexible and can be potentially dangerous, cutting off the mouth and gums if not used properly. If you are a person who has seizures or poor motor function or who has difficulty controlling muscle groups, steel and glass straws may not be a safe option. And the new Starbucks "adult cups" may not be suitable for people who can not carry a cup in their mouths.
"People want to solve this problem in a nanosecond, and it's not that simple," Rappaport said. "We have something that works, we have something that keeps people alive, and until we have an alternative, that's what we need to use."
Shapiro-Lacks , who suffers from cerebral palsy, recently testified at a New York City Council hearing. access a straw during an outing with her husband.
"My husband had to hold the cup to my mouth so that I could drink in a way that catches the public's attention," she said. "It compromises my privacy and dignity."
Starbucks is important because he gives the example to other companies who plan to ban straw, said Shapiro-Lacks
"If we come to a good solution with Starbucks, being major, and if they are not on the right track, it's a very bad example, "she said.
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