Picture: Wikimedia Commons
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has published guidance for pubs on alternatives to plastic straws. The guidance outlines the various recyclable, re-usable and biodegradable options, including wheat, paper and glass straws. It also provides information on food safety and food hygiene compliance.
The BBPA and its members are fully committed to reducing the use of plastic and plastic waste. The guidance urges members to stop issuing plastic straws and consider environmentally-friendly alternatives instead.
The BBPA is also working with the British Institute of Innkeeping and others to look at bio-degradable alternatives and the composting and recycling capacity for such products.
In the Spring Statement this week, the Chancellor launched a consultation on reducing single-use plastic across the whole supply chain. The BBPA will be responding to the consultation to highlight the role brewing and pubs can play in this.
Last week the chief executive of the BBPA, Brigid Simmonds, met Thérèse Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment, to discuss reducing the use of plastic straws in pubs across the UK.
Brigid said: “Pubs are already working hard to reduce the amount of single-use plastics being used. This includes only giving straws to those who ask.
“One of the easiest ways pubs can continue to reduce plastic waste is by using environmentally-friendly alternatives to straws, and the guidance we have published today will help pubs and all licensees in cutting back on their use of plastics.”
