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SWA the latest to take stand against plastic straws
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced that it will be phasing out plastic straws across all its operations, and will be urging its members to do the same, following in the footsteps of Bacardi, Pernod Ricard and Diageo.
“multi colored straw, isolated”
The SWA has said it will be phasing out the use of plastic straws as part of the industry’s “continuing commitment to environmental sustainability”.
In 2009, the SWA set itself the target of ensuring all product packaging across its industry would be 100% recyclable by 2020.
“Our commitment to phasing out the use of all plastic straws and stirrers from all our offices, industry and events is yet another signal of our commitment to the environment,” said SWA chief executive Karen Betts.
“It is encouraging to see Scotch Whisky producers taking steps to phase out unnecessary plastics. We hope that this SWA commitment will lead to the industry uniting behind biodegradable alternatives so that Scotch Whisky cocktails can continue to be enjoyed without discarded plastics continuing to have a damaging impact on land as well as at sea.”
Bacardi was among the first to call time on plastic straws and stirrers, banning their use across its events in 2016 in an effort to reduce waste as part of its ‘Good Spirited’ campaign.
In June of last year, UK bar chain All Bar One pledged to phase out the use of plastic strawsacross all of its venues as part of its #strawssuck campaign.
Shortly after, Wetherspoon also said it would be bringing an end to its use of plastic straws across its 900 pubs in the UK and Republic of Ireland by the end of 2017.
Most recently, Pernod Ricard and Diageo both announced they would be bringing an end to the use of plastic straws and stirrers, banning them within all parts of their operations worldwide while encouraging their affiliates to do the same.
Plastic straws, like all plastic items, are incredibly damaging to the environment with a single straw taking 500 years to decompose. It also prevents the risk of them ending up in the ocean, where straws are the fifth most popular item of rubbish.