Bacardí Ltd. said it wants to eliminate the use of 1 billion single-use plastic straws by 2020. The company also committed to review its global supply chain, with the aim of removing non-essential, non-recyclable single-use plastic waste.
“Engaging our accounts and our consumers in the reduction of single-use plastic is a critical next step in helping to put an end to plastic pollution,” said Rick Wilson, senior vice president of Corporate Responsibility for Bacardí. “Single-use plastic items are among the most collected pieces of trash in our oceans, and we are urging our consumers to add ‘No plastic straw, please’ to every drink order so together we can make impactful change.”
Bacardí will eliminate single-use plastic straws from branded events, music activations, and the Bacardí Rum Truck while committing to use biodegradable paper cups across the UK activations. In addition, Bacardí in the UK will donate the proceeds of ticket sales from its Casa Bacardí music events, taking place throughout June and July in London, Manchester, and Birmingham, to the Lonely Whale’s Strawless Ocean initiative. In the fall, activity continues in North America as the rum brand activates the movement at all its major music activations.
Bacardí launched a new training program for distributor partners and on-premise locations that offer alternatives to plastic straws. In the United States, where it’s been reported that approximately 500 million plastic straws are used and discarded each day, Bacardí will continue to partner with national chains and independent accounts to promote plastic-free, marine-friendly straw, or strawless options for cocktails. Bacardí and Lonely Whale will expand the program in China and focus on programs with ten leaders in the hospitality and spirits industry to drive adoption of the pledge.