Straws suck no more at Liberation Group

Wednesday 12 July 2017

One of Jersey's largest pub groups is banning plastic straws, opting for a biodegradable paper version instead, in a bid to reduce harmful waste.

The move by the Liberation Group follows the launch of the local "Straws Suck!" campaign by eco-warrior Sheena Brockie.

The Group will be phasing the straws out from all of their 100 pubs across the Channel Islands and West Country. 

In a statement, the Liberation Group wrote: "Plastic straws are made from polypropylene – a petroleum product designed to last forever. The straws are particularly harmful to marine life, with more than one million seas birds and a hundred thousand marine mammals killed by plastic waste each year. It is estimated that unless there is a significant shift, plastic refuse in the ocean is set to outweigh the fish by 2050."

"Given this harm, the Liberation Group has made the switch to biodegradable paper straws which do not damage marine life."

Pictured: One woman has singlehandedly launched a campaign against plastic straws on the island which has gained "considerable momentum" according to the Liberation Group, the latest to pledge to use paper straws.

Jayson Perfect, Managing Director for Pubs and Inns, commented: “Our pubs use millions of straws each year, so we see the switch really benefiting the environment. Plastic straws are a blight on our coastlines, marine life and our oceans. This is a problem which is entirely avoidable. As an Island company who supports many charitable organisations, I feel we also have a moral obligation to support helping marine mammal life where possible.”

The group's decision follows the recent launch of the local “Straws Suck!” campaign by Sheena Brockie. The eco-warrior launched a war against single-use plastic as part of the Plastic Free July initiative, with plastic straws on top of her hit list. She has been emailing pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels asking them to find alternatives to the pesky plastic draws. Big J, Roast and Loaf were among the first to jump on board quickly followed by others. Others showed interest such as Barannes, who are also sourcing compostable cups, and beach cafés such as Hard Rocque.

Sheena Brockie welcomed the announcement saying: "I am absolutely delighted that the Liberation Group, many local businesses and individuals have embraced the Straws suck! campaign so wholeheartedly. Thank you for making the difference!"