I was thrilled to learn of a new campaign that has been launched in London to combat the thousands of plastic straws which are carelessly disposed of every day. We’ve all been there, grab a handful of straws on your visit to McDonald’s (who can face counting them out when there’s a queue behind you?) and then throwing half of them away, completely unopened (who can face putting them back again?).
Well a new campaign, being named ‘Straw Wars’, has been launched by some of London’s top restaurants, bars and hotels urging the entire hospitality and fast food sector to reduce the number of plastic straws routinely, and often unnecessarily, given out.
Although there are no figures for the proportion of plastic straws which make up the total plastic waste in the UK, and it is thought to be a small percentage, it is important to remember that straws can travel down drains and end up in rivers and oceans. And even though they can be recycled, this is rarely done by people eating fast food on the move, meaning the majority end up in landfill.
I, for one, think this is a great idea and would urge our Manchester venues to back the campaign. Perhaps after this we should think about reducing the number of unopened sachets of vinegar, sweet and sour sauces and mayonnaise that are thrown away too?!