Push on to rid Christchurch of plastic straws

A Council committee wants to make Christchurch a plastic-straw free city by the end of 2019 and is encouraging local businesses to get on board.

A resolution from the Innovation and Sustainable Development Committee meeting today recommends Christchurch City Council work with others to make Christchurch plastic straw-free by the end of next year.

The push is on to phase-out plastic straws.

"We're really pleased with the progress that's already been made but we wanted to take the lead even further by setting a goal for the Council to work alongside other organisations and make Christchurch plastic straw-free by the end of next year,’’ says Committee Chair Councillor Vicki Buck.

“I think we can do it, and I think many residents want to see it happen for the health of our environment," Cr Buck says.

There is growing concern about the use of plastic straws, along with other single-use plastics, because of their effects on the environment. Wellington City Council recently supported an initiative to stop the use of single-use plastic straws around the city’s waterfront.

A report presented to the Innovation and Sustainable Development Committee today, written by Council Resource Efficiency Manager Kevin Crutchley, says Council events organised by the Events Production Team are almost completely free of single-use plastic straws.

All food vendors on site are trained and audited to ensure they are not giving out plastic straws. The only exception is a very small number of vendors selling a product that requires a more sturdy straw that doesn’t absorb water or needs a wider straw. They use PLA (bioplastic) straws which are sent to landfill.

Mr Crutchley says simply not using single-use straws, whether they are made from plastic or from any other material, is the best option from an environmental perspective.

In a presentation today Hospitality NZ Spokesman Chris Casserly told the Committee his organisation was committed to promoting sustainability in the hospitality industry across the country.

It has been working in partnership with The Rubbish Whisperer to bring members deals on alternatives to single-use plastic straws.

“It is our goal that all HNZ members are plastic straw free in their businesses by the end of 2018,” he says.

"It's a pretty big ask but we're working very, very hard. We're noticing a big change in attitude around this issue and the no automatic straws going out at bars has been one of the big, significant changes."

Straw-Free Christchurch spokeswoman Kerry Laundon told the committee the community group was keen to work in collaboration with the Council and Hospitality NZ to educate local businesses and the public.

"It's about rethinking and education and supporting businesses to make good decisions."