Suck It Up: Why Restaurants, Bars & Nightclubs Must Ban Plastic Straws

Oh Hell NO… I’m not giving up my straws. Why should I? Stop trying to tell me how to run my business. I won’t do it.

Give me 30 seconds to change your mind & get you to #StopSucking 

‘Every single piece of plastic ever created in the world, is still out there somewhere, in some form or another.

North Americans alone use & discard over 500 MILLION plastic straws EVERY DAY. Many of those plastic straws end up in our oceans, polluting the water and harming sea life. If we don’t act now, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.’ Says Shawn Heinrichs of Lonely Whale.

Jackie Nunez, founder of a group called the Last Plastic Straw. estimates that 1,800 “restaurants, organizations, institutions and schools worldwide have gotten rid of plastic straws or implemented a serve-straws-upon-request policy,”

Across the globe, restaurants, bars and cities are banning plastic straws voluntarily.

That is what I am challenging you to do also. A personal invitation to take The Last Straw Challenge, A campaign against the use of plastic straws in bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By simply stating on menus “Straws available upon request”, bars and restaurants can be part of the solution. Provide either compostable or reusable straws or get rid of straws completely.

Learn to drink responsibly, choose paper straws. #StopSucking 

Diageo and Pernod Ricard, leading drinks groups, voiced their support for moves away from plastic straws and stirrers, stating their commitment not to use them at their own events.

Global sustainable development director at Diageo, David Croft said: “Diageo is committed to minimizing our environmental impact and we are, like many of our consumers, increasingly concerned about the negative environmental impact associated with the irresponsible disposal of plastic straws.

“We are therefore committed to phasing out the use of all plastic straws and stirrers from all our offices, events, promotions, advertising, and marketing globally – and will advocate the same to our partners and customers.”

“When the use of straws is important to the enjoyment of our brands we will only use reusable, compostable or biodegradable alternatives.”

Group vice president for sustainability and responsibility at Pernod Ricard, Vanessa Wright said: “The history of Pernod Ricard and our values are intrinsically linked to social responsibility and care – it is a part of us, and the creation of the Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute more than 50 years ago is a concrete example.”

“We know that this type of non-biodegradable plastic is having a detrimental impact on the environment and oceans, and for us, it’s crucial that we play our role in helping to prevent any further damage.”

Please consider joining me and becoming part of this movement. It is not only good for the environment, It is good for business. If you do go straw free please let me know… The 2018 American Nightlife Awards would like to recognize all nightlife business that steps up to the challenge. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me or anyone at American Nightlife. Till next time~ Cheers!