The whisky trade body is to phase out the use of plastic straws and stirrers because of the damage they cause to the environment.
The Scotch Whisky Association will stop using the straws at events and encourage its members to do the same. Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Bacardi have already announced that they will take steps to use biodegradable alternatives.
Karen Betts, the association’s chief executive, said that the whisky industry took sustainability “very seriously”. “Through our environment strategy, the industry is taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment, including action to reduce non-fossil fuel use, increase recycling and ensure efficient use of water,” she added.
“Our commitment to phasing out the use of all plastic straws and stirrers from all our offices, industry and events is yet another signal of our commitment to the environment.
“We hope that this SWA commitment will lead to the industry uniting behind biodegradable alternatives so that Scotch whisky cocktails can continue to be enjoyed without discarded plastics continuing to have a damaging impact on land as well as at sea.”
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Big names in the hospitality trade such as Wagamama and Pizza Express previously announced that they were phasing out plastic straws.