It’s the last straw as restaurants turn away from plastics
Businesses challenge others to switch to reusable or compostable options instead
Two Saskatoon restaurants are cutting down their environmental footprint by trading in plastic straws for reusable or compostable options — and they are urging other local businesses to follow suit.
Research shows that in the United States alone, more than 500 million plastic straws are used and discarded daily. Adrian Chappell, bar manager for The Hollows and Primal, couldn’t help but think that there must be a better option.
Both restaurants — where sustainability is the main focus — have never used a plastic straw since they opened their doors several years ago, but now they are extending the challenge to other businesses and residents. Chappell said it’s a lot easier and also cost effective to go plastic free.
“Even if you don’t really care about the environment, just as far as the bottom line goes, putting a straw in every drink just doesn’t make sense financially,” she said. “But I personally do care about the environment, so it’s a double win for us.”
Collective Coffee was the first business to take Chappell’s plastic free challenge, even though owner Jackson Wiebe was initially hesitant, thinking it would add extra overhead costs that his small business couldn’t afford.
“Getting hit with the PST this year, money was a big worry, so I didn’t know if I could add the cost of an environmental project,” Wiebe said. Though he admits the new compostable straws, which break down in less than two years, are slightly more expensive, his supplier has said they will only become cheaper as demand for the product grows.
Weibe also believes consumers are a part of the process and should consider skipping the straw at restaurants or bringing along a reusable one.
Since putting her challenge out before Christmas, Chappell says the response from local businesses has been “overwhelming,” with some asking for advice on how to make the switch and others — such as the new grocery store Bulk Basket that offers paper straws with fresh pressed juice — saying they have already switched over to the environmentally friendly option.
Chappell says this is only the first step forward and she would like to see city hall implement composting programs for businesses and residents, as well as having consumers put pressure on large corporate restaurants to make the switch.
“The straw is almost a symbol for the change that needs to happen. Us getting rid of plastic straws isn’t going to be the thing that changes the world, but it’s the first step in awareness,” Chappell said.
“And it’s an easy step that most people can relate to.”
Just as far as the bottom line goes, putting a straw in every drink just doesn’t make sense financially.