Plastic straws are a form of single use plastic that are particularly difficult to recycle and take hundreds of years to degrade. Hundreds of millions of straws are thrown away each year in London alone and, sadly, a large volume of these end up polluting our environment and finding their way into the ocean. Conservative lead Richmond Borough Council is now leading the fight against single use plastics by calling on businesses across the borough to greatly limit the use of plastic straws.
Conservative Cllr Pamela Fleming, who is Cabinet Member for Environment, Business and Community, has written to all pubs, bars, takeaways and restaurants in the borough inviting them to join the Council’s ambitious moves to eliminate single-use plastics.
Cllr Fleming said:
“Eliminating single-use plastics is a huge step in protecting the future of our borough and our beautiful environment. We believe there are more than 820 businesses around the borough using plastic straws.
“Experts believe there are currently enough plastic straws floating around the sea to wrap around the earth’s circumference 2.5 times a day. If our local food and drink businesses join us and pledge not to use plastic straws in their establishments we can help halt the harm being done to our seas and rivers.
“We need to work together to protect our wonderful environment. We all have a role to play and I’m hoping businesses will join us in playing their part.”
To learn more about Richmond Borough Conservatives' campaign against single use plastics, or to join our campaign and receive regular updates, visit plasticfreeborough.com.