ST Austell Brewery has announced its intention to stop the use of single-use plastic straws in all of its managed pubs and hotels across the South West, as part of its wider commitment to sustainable practices.

In the Post area, St Austell Brewery manages a number of pubs including the Port William at Trebarwith, and Oyster Catcher, Polzeath.

Having already moved from single-use plastic straws to green biodegradables last year, the brewery, which owns an award winning estate of 180 South West inns and hotels, has taken the extra step of switching to paper straws to tie in with something that is increasingly at the forefront of the agenda across the Westcountry.

Brewery CEO James Staughton said of the decision: “We are deeply committed to providing the very best products and service for our customers and communities. Cornwall and the whole of the South West peninsular is synonymous with beautiful scenery and a deep connection with the outdoors. Protecting our environment and leading the way is something that we are very proud to do. Much like the campaign to curb the use of single-use plastic bags in supermarkets, we believe we can all have a practical effect on the volumes of plastic being used and how people think about single-use plastics more generally.”

Thanking commercial partner Abbotts Catering Supplies for its support in making the decision work at ground level, procurement director Andrew Holden added: “With great campaigns such as the Final Straw already in operation, we’re all aiming to make Cornwall the first plastic straw-free county in the UK and it’s absolutely achievable. What a great message to send to the rest of the country.”

The Final Straw Cornwall was the brainchild of 69-year-old businesswoman and grandmother Pat Smith and North Coast surfer James Neale and is already gaining traction online and in hospitality businesses across Cornwall.

“When we approached St Austell Brewery to be part of the campaign they were immediately positive and keen to get involved as they were already on their own journey to move away from plastic. It’s not to be underestimated how much it takes for a big organisation like St Austell Brewery to stop using plastic straws,” said James. “As it stands, the tide is turning and paper straws are in high demand with less availability, this makes them a more expensive alternative for plastic straws. We are thrilled that St Austell Brewery are on board — they are a real shining example.”

Pat added: “I believe that we can become the first plastic straw-free county in the UK because we love where we live and we want to protect it. We could be the first in a long line of nationwide and international dominoes that will mark the beginning of a step change in attitude towards straws and single-use plastics.”

To find out more, visit http://finalstrawcornwall.co.uk