Pernod Ricard USA will no longer purchase plastic straws and stirrers, joining a consumer movement.
Plastic straws and stirrers have been an iconic part of a drink for decades, and the reinvigorated popularity of cocktails has resulted in an explosion of global straw use. However, a straw – which is only used for 20 minutes, on average – can take more than 200 years to break down and often does not fully disintegrate.
“We believe small acts have a big impact. We want to break the association that a cocktail needs a straw or stirrer to be complete – and we think mixologists would agree. As a leading spirits company in the United States and the largest subsidiary of the Pernod Ricard Group, we are concerned about the pressing plastics waste challenge and are committed to doing our part in eliminating it while driving a positive business impact,” said Amandine Robin, Senior Vice President of Communications & CSR at Pernod Ricard USA. “We’re asking consumers to join us by doing their part and choose to opt out of straws when responsibly enjoying beverages.”
“In the United States, we use 500 million straws a day – enough plastic to circle the earth more than two and a half times, and more than eight million tons of plastic are sent to the ocean every year, including straws. We understand that non-biodegradable plastic is having a detrimental impact on the environment and oceans, and it’s crucial we play our role in being part of the solution,” said Vanessa Wright, recently appointed Group Vice President of Sustainability & Responsibility.