Several measures are already in effect in France.
Parisian elected officials have already voted for the gradual elimination of the distribution of plastic straws in municipal facilities: administrations, schools, nursing homes, sports facilities, museums…
A measure that will come into effect in September/October 2018.
The city has also committed to raising awareness among the capital's cafes, hotels, and restaurants so they use alternatives to plastic straws. It also aims to encourage Parisians to do without them altogether. These initiatives will begin this summer at Paris-Plages, culminating in a "zero plastic" event in the summer of 2019.
But that's not all; while other cities are expected to follow suit soon, many other measures are planned in the short term.
France has not only banned plastic bags, but it has also become the first country to ban plastic plates, cups and cutlery from 2020.
Moreover, the Franprix supermarket chain has just announced that it will no longer sell certain products , including plastic straws, tableware, and cotton buds, starting in 2019, anticipating the French ban in 2020.
Many associations in France are currently fighting against plastic straws. To learn more about the law " Ban on single-use plastics ".
What about abroad?
In the USA, the world's largest consumer with nearly 500 million straws per day, various measures have also been taken.
This ban has already been in place since July 1st in the American city of Seattle, a leading city in the areas of environmental protection and sustainable development. A fine of $250 is planned for violators.
Another city renowned for its environmental commitment, San Francisco, has taken the lead. Polystyrene, plastic straws (including cups), and plastic packaging are now banned.
The United Kingdom, meanwhile, is proposing a new, more comprehensive regulation: plastic straws, stirrers and cotton swabs by the end of 2018 as part of its plan to combat plastic waste.
And the brands also seem to be responding to the call. The fast-food giant McDonald's positioned itself last June by announcing that from 2019, its 1,361 restaurants in the United Kingdom will only offer paper straws .
In other countries, the American retailer plans to conduct tests to experiment with alternatives to plastic straws . This will be the case in Australia, Belgium, the United States, Norway, Sweden, and also France.
Why these measures?
The main reason is marine pollution. First, they cannot be recycled because of their small size . This leads to the billion straws used and thrown away every day worldwide ending up in the oceans.
But there's worse. Although straws represent only a tiny fraction of the plastic polluting the oceans, their size makes them one of the most harmful pollutants. Marine animals, including fish, ingest them. Then, at the end of the food chain, humans are exposed to this pollution when we consume seafood. We can immediately think of the risks associated with endocrine disruptors such as plastic additives (phthalates, bisphenol A, etc.).
Alternatives to plastic straws
Many alternatives are already available. In the restaurant and hotel industry, straws, plates, and other cups can be made from disposable paper and cardboard.
Products in stock that you can already find at our partner Food Bazar! Contact them at 04 42 50 17 10.
(It is also possible to produce reusable products).
Regarding reusable straws (stainless steel, glass, bamboo), Marketing Création offers its services for the personalized creation of an original and unique promotional item .
Furthermore, the product will be reused many times, which guarantees excellent brand recall!
Have a project in mind? Don't hesitate to contact us at: +33 4 42 26 23 07 or by email at contact@marketingcreation.com