Kicking it old school: strawless drinking
In 2018, we started phasing out single-use plastic straws, plastic plates, plastic cups, freezer bags, bin bags, and plastic-coated paper plates and cups from our stores. Most of these items can easily be replaced with multiple-use products. Where there isn’t yet a suitable alternative, we will leave a gap until we find one.
“There are challenges,” explains Caroline Reid who is responsible for this initiative. “For example, we haven’t been able to replace the plastic-coated paper cups used in our restaurants and bistros. To take a step in the right direction, we’re going to start using plastic from renewable sources.” Removing single use plastics also calls for a change in consumer behaviour. “We all need to get into the habit of using multiple-use containers instead of single-use freezer bags, for example, and to drink the old-fashioned way, without a straw,” says Caroline.