BBPA publishes guidance on plastic straw alternatives

16-Mar-2018 - Last updated on 16-Mar-2018 at 09:53 GMT

Eco advice: BBPA statement shows the UK uses 8.5 billion single-use plastic straws per year

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) outlined the various recyclable, reusable and biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastic straws on 15 March.

Alternatives include wheat and paper straws, as well as reusable glass and metal straws.

The guidance, which also provides information on food safety and hygiene compliance, urges members to end the use of plastic straws and consider environmentally friendly alternatives.

It highlights the fact the UK uses 8.5bn single-use plastic straws every year while alleviating concerns over cost; stating that while most plastic straw alternatives are more expensive, only offering straws on request will help to offset this price.

It also mentions hygiene requirements and flags products sourced from outside of the UK/EU must be checked to ensure they comply with all relevant requirements.

The BBPA also advises that when sourcing alternatives to plastic straws from abroad that carbon footprint should be taken into consideration.

In this week’s Spring Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond launched a consultation on reducing single-use plastic across the whole supply chain. The BBPA will respond to the consultation, highlighting the role brewers and pubs can play.

Great to meet with @theresecoffey and @DefraGovUK to discuss the commitment from the pub industry to reduce the use of plastic straws #Plastics #LastStraw pic.twitter.com/NLvA2tiHG0
— Brigid Simmonds BBPA (@BrigidSimmonds) March 7, 2018

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “Pubs are already working hard to reduce the amount of single-use plastics being used. This includes only giving straws to those who ask.

“One of the easiest ways pubs can continue to reduce plastic waste is by using environmentally friendly alternatives to straws and the guidance we have published today will help pubs and all licensees in cutting back on their use of plastics.”

The advice has been published as the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that it is to launch a review into the potential risks of plastics in drinking water.

A growing number of pub and bar groups, including JD Wetherspoon, Deltic Group and Punch Taverns, have stopped using plastic straws.

Along with industry bodies UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping and BBPA, The Morning Advertiser has launched a campaign to cut the amount of single-use plastic straws used in pubs.

The BBPA’s guidance can be found in full here.