NOTL establishments eliminate plastic straws
It could be the last straw for plastic straws in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Nearly two months ago, the Olde Angel Inn opted to stop using plastic straws.
“We heard there was going to be a government ban — I don’t know if that’s true or not — but we figured we’d start it off early,” said Peter Ault, a manager at the Regent Street pub. “Most people are happy about it. They understand why we’re doing it.”
The global no-straw movement has been gaining traction.
In Deep Cove, a community in Metro Vancouver, merchants bid goodbye to plastic straws on Monday, with the community’s restaurants and cafés committing to go straw-free. Malibu, Calif., banned the use and sale of plastic straws and utensils, and the United Kingdom has been debating a countrywide ban on straws.
On Earth Day, Paddle Niagara owner Tim Bala posted a video to his social media channels praising the Angel Inn’s move and calling on other restaurants in Niagara-on-the-Lake to get on board. Bala regularly organizes beach cleanups on Niagara’s shores and said plastic straws are frequently found.
“Oftentimes they are confused for seagull quills, because they look so similar, but you do find them everywhere, including in the water,” he said, adding ditching the plastic straw isn’t hard to accomplish — it’s more about changing habits.
“They’re such a disposal item. So many people don’t even think about it anymore — they’re just there. People will stir their drink with it and then ditch them anyway. We were raised using straws so we’ve come to expect them, but it’s so easy to not use them and it can make a big difference.”
Ault said Angel Inn staff were convinced after watching a now viral video of scientists, who were studying olive ridley sea turtles in Costa Rica, remove a drinking straw from the nostril of the sea turtle.
Eight times out of 10, he said, people are understanding about the lack of straws and they understand why the pub is doing it. For people who need a straw, it will still provide one.
“Generally, you can tell when you drop the drinks off, if people feel like something is missing. If they’re staring at the drinks, you know they’re wondering where the straw is,” said Ault. “What I’ll say is, ‘We just don’t carry straws anymore, we’re trying to save the environment one step at a time.’ … Over time, I think people will just get used to not having it.”
Other businesses are getting on board. Vintage Hotels has been exploring options at its properties, which include Queen’s Landing, Prince of Wales and The Pillar and Post.
“We here at Vintage Hotels care about the environment and that is why we employ reasonable efforts to minimize the environmental footprint by using sustainable products where possible,” said Kelly Exelby, general manager of the Prince of Wales.
The iconic hotel at the corner of King and Picton streets in the Old Town has switched to a paper straw and it’s considering taking it a step further by making straws available by request only.
Corks Winebar & Eatery has stopped including straws with its drinks. In It does have plastic straws available upon request.
“It’s a hard thing to get around when we’re serving a lot of tourists, but we’re trying,” said bartender Adam Dodridge, adding it’s been about a month straw free and regulars have been catching on.
It doesn’t fall squarely on the establishments, said Bala, noting patrons can simply request their drink be served without a straw.
“I’ve told the majority of establishments that I frequent not to put plastic in my drink,” he said. “If you can’t drink it or eat it, then I don’t want it in it.”