A&W to eliminate plastic straws from restaurants by end of year
A&W Canada announced Friday it will eliminate plastic straws from its restaurants by the end of 2018.
The company says it will provide guests with the option of a 100-percent biodegradable paper straw instead.
It says the paper straws, which last two to three hours in a drink and biodegrade in three to six months, are compostable and sustainably sourced.
The Canadian company, which is headquartered in North Vancouver, made the announcement at the Vancouver Aquarium to mark World Ocean Day.
It says it’s the first fast-food chain in North America to make the commitment. The firm, Canada’s second-largest burger chain behind McDonald’s, says the switch will keep 82 million plastic straws out of landfills every year.
“Reducing waste from landfills is a top priority for A&W and this is one big way that we can make a difference,” said A&W president and CEO Susan Senecal.
Tyler Pronyk, A&W Canada’s director of distribution, equipment and packaging, says the company’s environmental strategy already includes compostable takeout packaging, along with reusable mugs, plates and cutlery for sit-down service. “As we learn more about new tools and sustainable practices, we look forward to more improvements ahead,” he said.
While A&W may be the first fastfood chain to ban straws, others are going to have to follow suit, at least at their Vancouver locations.
Vancouver city council moved last month to ban plastic straws, foam cups and takeout containers by June 1, 2019, becoming the first municipality in Canada to ban single-use disposable items.
White Spot, another B.C.-based burger chain, told Postmedia News in April that they were supportive of the move to cut plastic straws and have started making them available by request only. CEO Warren Erhart said the company was working with suppliers to test solid-paper straws that would work for drinks like milkshakes.
“I think that clearly it’s the right thing to do from the point of the environment,” said Erhart, adding that a strawless lid was something else being proposed.
As we learn more about new tools and sustainable practices, we look forward to more improvements.” Tyler Pronyk, A&W