Starbucks says it will stop offering plastic straws by 2020

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Starbucks says it will stop offering plastic straws by 2020

Activists are pressuring businesses to ditch plastic straws because they can end up in the ocean and hurt marine life.

by Associated Press / Jul.09.2018 / 6:49 AM ET / Updated 8:06 AM ET

Starbucks says it will eliminate plastic straws from its stores globally by 2020, a nod to the growing push for businesses to be more environmentally friendly.

The company becomes the largest food and beverage company to do so as calls to cut waste globally grow louder. Plastic straws have become one of the biggest targets.

A week after Seattle banned plastic drinking straws and utensils, the company said Monday that by 2020, it will be using straws made from biodegradable materials like paper and specially designed lids. The company already offers alternative straws in Seattle.

Other cities, like Fort Meyers, have banned plastic straws as well. Similar proposals are being considered in places like New York and San Francisco.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/starbucks-says-it-will-stop-offering-plastic-straws-2020-n889776

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Do they have that many already purchased that they can't phase them out

sooner?

The only time I ever use a straw is those genuinely rare times I've bought a soft drink that I'll be drinking in my car, so the lid is on the cup. Otherwise, I never use a straw and haven't in years.

[Sneederbunk]

2. I grew up with paper straws and survived to tell the tale.

[virgogal]

4. Me too !

[Nitram]

7. Me too. Waxed paper straws.

[SamKnause]

3. Why does everything take so long ???

Can't they just stop ordering plastic straws and start ordering paper straws ???

[virgogal]

5. Maybe they have contracted with the manufacturers for "X" amount and have to fulfill

their commitment.

[SamKnause]

6. If true, they could pay for the plastic straws but cancel the order.

This would cut into their profits and they won't do that.

[StevieM]

8. On the other hand, they are actually going to make a change that most other people are not making.

I am just glad that a major company is doing this. Hopefully it will catch on.