Coca-Cola Amatil will no longer distribute plastic drinking straws and stirrers in Australia.
Instead, the company says, it will stock fully recyclable and biodegradable FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accredited paper straws.
Group Managing Director Alison Watkins says the decision is another step forward in the company’s efforts to reduce single-use plastics.
“We’re serious about playing our part in reducing unnecessary plastic packaging,” she said.
“We’ve heard the community message loud and clear – that unnecessary packaging is unacceptable. We all need to work together to reduce the amount entering litter streams, the environment and the oceans.”
Amatil will source the new paper drinking straws from suppliers BioPak and Austraw. The company will make them available through its ordering platform to about 115,000 outlets nationwide. They will include grocery, petrol and convenience stores, bars, cafés and quick-service restaurants.
Distribution of the old single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers will stop as stocks run out over the next two months. The new sustainable paper straws will be available from February.
Ms Watkins says the intention is for 100 per cent of Coca-Cola Amatil’s Australian packaging to be fully recyclable by 2025. This will include all bottles, cans, plastic wrap, straws, glass and cardboard.
“We’re working towards phasing out unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics entirely, through improved design, innovation or the use of recycled alternatives,” she said.