A&W Food Services of Canada to eliminate plastic straws

Vancouver-based A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. says it will eliminate plastic straws from its restaurants by the end of this year, becoming the first quick-service restaurant chain in North America to make this commitment.

"Reducing waste from landfills is a top priority for A&W and this is one big way that we can make a difference," says Susan Senecal, A&W Canada's president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to make this change, which has been driven by the wishes of our guests, franchisees and staff."

A&W says it will provide guests the option of using paper straws that biodegradable, compostable and sustainably sourced. The straws last two to three hours in a drink without breaking down, but naturally biodegrade in three to six months in the environment, the company says of the paper straws it will offer. This move will keep 82 million plastic straws out of landfills every year, according to A&W.

"Introducing packaging innovations that reduce waste is key to A&W's environmental strategy," says Tyler Pronyk, A&W Canada director of distribution, equipment and packaging. "By using compostable packaging, real mugs, plates and cutlery, we are diverting millions of single-use packaging from landfills every year.

"Eliminating plastic straws is another big step for us,” he continues. “As we learn more about new tools and sustainable practices, we look forward to more improvements ahead.”

More information about A&W's sustainability initiatives is available at www.aw.ca/awhome.nsf/environment.

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is that nation's second largest hamburger chain with more than 925 locations.