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Wetherspoon’s calls time on plastic straws

JD Wetherspoon has said it will stop automatically putting single use plastic straws in its drinks by the end of the year.

The pub chain will instead have biodegradable paper straws available to customers who request them.

The company said the changes were part of an overall commitment to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste produced in its outlets.

Many small plastic items such as straws and coffee cup lids end up in landfill or, worse still, littering the marine environment.

Campaigners have been calling on businesses to stop offering them to customers as a matter of course.

Earlier this year the Mitchells & Butlers owned All Bar One chain pledged to phase out its use of plastic straws completely, replacing them where necessary with eco-friendly alternatives.

Separately, Wetherspoon’s has also hinted at plans to introduce more vegetarian and vegan dishes to its menu. Writing in the company’s quarterly in-house magazine, chairman Tim Martin said the message was “loud and clear” that customers wanted more vegetarian and vegan options.