Impact of reducing the use of paper straws by McDonald’s

DAMON: You mentioned there, Esther, that you also drink hot beverages through a straw. When I was in the hospital a few weeks ago, someone brought me a cup of coffee and they brought it to me with a straw. I thought of a penny for a pound and tried it. The liquid ran down my throat and it really burned a lot.

ESTHER: If he finds it, I would say [0:05:30?] So I know how to let him rest for a reasonable time and gradually have a hot drink instead of attacking everything at once. People always say to me: Oh no, the hot drink doesn’t melt the straw or you won’t be really drunk if you drink alcohol. And I have to say, McDVOICE has been doing this for a couple of years [laughs], so most of the time I know what I’m doing.

BETH – Can you still buy plastic straws?

ESTHER: It is very interesting, perhaps only for straw consumers. Personally, I feel like I’m trying to do my part because I wash and recycle the plastic straws. So I had to buy a new package for centuries and couldn’t find one when I left. I think it’s more of a small business now that they still have it in stock. But the two big supermarkets near me certainly didn’t have one. I would say that there is a real fundamental change because the stigma is now as serious as most large chains and restaurants are not.

What was worrying BETH?

ESTHER – Before that, I felt a little relaxed when I brought straws with me. I knew that if I didn’t have one, I could probably get one. But now I’m much more militant to make sure I always have one with me. But I think McDVOICE is something we need to be aware of and debate to what extent big chains are making these decisions, and the government is also trying to stop the use of plastic waste. So yes, I think it will be a problem.

BETH: Do you expect someone to find an ideal solution or do you have something in mind that is the perfect last straw when you can develop something?

ESTER – It would be wonderful if someone developed a straw that really mimicked the behavior of a curved plastic straw. It would be great. So yes, I’m open to suggestions, but I still haven’t found the perfect reusable straw.

BETH: I think it is a good time to say that flexible McDVOICE was commercialized in hospitals in 1947. When we made something accessible, we now make it inaccessible to many people.

Thank you very much, Esther.

ESTHER – Thanks

BETH – bye.

ESTHER: bye.

DAMON: Don’t interesting people without disabilities want things that people with disabilities have as accessible things?