Restaurants Association of Ireland encourages banning of plastic straws

The Association is calling on its 2500 members to implement a ban on single use plastic straws

The Restaurants Association of Ireland welcomes the banning of plastic and single use straws in restaurants and pubs. The issue of waste needs to be addressed by all businesses but in particular those within the hospitality and bar trade. The Restaurants Association of Ireland, with over 2,500 members including restaurants, gastro pubs, and hotel restaurants encourages all businesses to implement a ban of plastic straws within their premises.

A straw, which is only used on average for 20 minutes, can take more than 200 years to breakdown into smaller pieces and often does not fully disintegrate. Other countries have taken action on this issue already. Recent reports indicate the UK Government plans to ban plastic straws, drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds which has led to various companies tackling the issue head on in advance of legislation.  The Marriott International, London City Airport and Eurostar announced measures to remove single-use plastic straws from hotels, food and drink outlets and train carriages. The Restaurants Association of Ireland encourages its members to do the same and lead the charge in reducing the instance of non-biodegradable waste in our industry.

Speaking at a recent event in DCU Minister for Communications, Climate Action & the Environment Denis Naughten said: “As a society we discard an incredible 80 per cent of what we produce after a single use. We have a global and a national plastics crisis…”

Speaking on the issue, Restaurants Association of Ireland President Liam Edwards commented: “By removing plastic straws from our restaurants, I believe we can make a difference in the use of unnecessary plastic and make the Irish restaurant and hospitality industry more sustainable and environmentally friendly.”

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has various foodservice and catering equipment partners all of whom stock paper and biodegradable alternatives to plastic straws. Musgrave and BWG with Cash and Carrys located throughout the country and Hugh Jordan and Nisbets both with stores in Dublin, all have a range of alternative options to plastic straws, including paper and bio-degradable, available for purchase.

Musgrave: Paper Straw Green 7 White Stripe 500pce – €19.75

Hugh Jordan: Green Candy Stripe Straws Loose 250 – €8.99

Nisbets: https://www.nisbets.ie