The Supermacs fast-food chain is to replace plastic straws with paper alternatives across its 116 outlets as part of a move to eliminate single use plastics.
“We recognise the strain that single use plastics are having on our environment and that every little bit counts,” the firm’s managing director Pat McDonagh said.
The company has previously introduced recyclable coffee cups and biodegradable burger wraps. It has now started replacing plastic straws with paper ones in its outlets.
Minister for Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton said the move would help to “reduce the amount of disposable plastic from our system and send an important signal down the supply chain”.
Single-use plastic items such as straws, forks, knives, and cotton buds will be banned in the European Union by 2021 following a vote by members of the European Parliament last month.