The advocacy group Plastic Free Guelph is rolling out its ‘Straws Suck’ campaign ahead of Earth Day this year, trying to get more businesses, and people, committed to eliminating the use of plastic straws.
Executive Director Shayne Ward said that 10 businesses in Guelph have committed to the elimination of plastic straws: Miijidaa Café and Bistro, Crafty Ramen, 10 Carden, The Cornerstone, The Stone Store Natural Foods, Sip Club, The Wooly Pub, Wellington Water Watchers, Borealis Grille and Bar and The Boardroom.
Others are inquiring about making the move.
“A lot of people use a straw to stir their drink, then put it on the counter. They use it for five seconds but it stays in a landfill for 2,000 years,” said Ward.
Plastic Free Guelph runs a three-day initiative around Earth Day on April 22 aimed at informing the public about the elimination of straws and also getting businesses to sign up and try it for three days.
Businesses use steel straws in-house or none at all and a package of biodegradable straws is provided to the business to be used on request.
Posters are displayed and information placed on tables in the business.
“Interested businesses will have to commit to not serving straws for the weekend unless requested,” Ward said.
“It’s very good education and outreach,” he said. “We want to make people aware of the issue of plastic use on a global scale but also on a local scale.”
In addition, on April 22 Plastic Free Guelph we will be hosting its third annual Royal City Park Clean Up from 9 a.m. to 12 pm.
More information on Plastic Free Guelph and contact information for businesses wanting to try going straw free can be found on their Facebook page.
