Chicago Restaurants Explore Eco Practices Beyond Plastic Straw Ban
Paper coffee cups have a thin layer of plastic on the inside to prevent leaking. It’s a well-engineered vessel, but difficult to recycle.
Steven Davy/PRI Paper coffee cups have a thin layer of plastic on the inside to prevent leaking. It’s a well-engineered vessel, but difficult to recycle.
Steven Davy/PRIChicago Restaurants Explore Eco Practices Beyond Plastic Straw Ban
In July, Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban single-use plastic straws. Shortly after, Starbucks — which is responsible for passing out an estimated one billion plastic straws annually — announced that the company would phase them out by 2020.
Other companies jumped on the bandwagon, too. Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels, the restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You, and the Chicago White Sox have all joined the plastic straw ban.
But some critics say the plastic straw ban isn’t enough — and more significant practices need to be explored if businesses are sincere about being more environmentally friendly.
So what more can businesses in Chicago do to reduce plastic waste? What are some practices they are already implementing?
Morning Shift talks to Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Brigid Sweeney, who focuses on the food and beverage industry, consumer products and retail.
GUEST: Brigid Sweeney, reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business
LEARN MORE: Beyond the straw: Restaurants and caterers embrace eco practices (Crain’s Chicago Business 8/10/18)