By Kendall Robertson

Local Businesses Ditch Drinking Straws

Apr 18, 2018 | 1:31 PM

PRINCE GEORGE- Cimo Mediterranean Grill is joining a growing movement to ban single-use plastics. The local business has been using biodegradable to-go containers and cutlery for more than five years, but recently it’s made the decision to phase out drinking straws. “We work in an industry that produces a huge amount of waste and we take it very seriously as a small, local restaurant to contribute positively to our community and our environment,” said restaurant manager, Danielle Beeksma. Staff won’t hand out straws with every drink, but customers that want one can still ask.

“Straws are not recyclable, they end up in the landfill they get blown away with litter, they might end up in our streams and rivers, and eventually they end up in the ocean which becomes a hazard for marine and wildlife,” said Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society executive director, Terri McClymont. She added since straws are a petroleum product they won’t break down, instead, turning into microplastics which are harmful in our waterways. “They’re actually finding them in agricultural land too, it’s a cause for us to be concerned,” said McClymont. She recommended people purchase metal or glass straws that can be reused if a straw is a must-have item.