UK’s largest nightclub operator ditches plastic straws

The Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator of late-night bars and nightclubs, has removed plastic straws from its venues as part of its #nostrawsattached campaign.

The Deltic Group has stopped using plastic straws across all of its late-night venues

Drinks sold across the group’s 57 venues will now not be served with a straw as standard.

The initiative will see the company use biodegrable straws made from PLA, a plant-based plastic that biodegrades in six months and contains 67% less embodied carbon than oil-based PP plastic.

The new PLA straws will be disposed of in allocated food waste bins, which will be rolled out across the group in late March.

The Deltic Group will provide its staff with the necessary guidelines to ensure straws and plastics are recycled properly.

Peter Marks, chief executive of The Deltic Group said: “We are pleased to announce that we will no longer be buying, using or serving plastic straws to any of our customers at any of our venues.

“These changes form part of a broader commitment to run a more environmentally friendly and sustainable operation.”

The campaign follows a number of firms who have already moved to tackle plastic straw use.

Drinks giants Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Bacardi have also committed to stop using plastic straws and stirrers across their businesses, while drinks industry group the Scotch Whisky Association has pledged its support as part of its Environmental Strategy.

In September last year, British pub chain JD Wetherspoon also announced its decision to stop using plastic straws across its 900 pubs.