On Monday, July 9, Starbucks announced that it would phase out all single-use plastic straws from its 28,000+ stores worldwide by 2020, replacing them with specially designed, recyclable cold-cup lids. Straws made of paper or alternative compostable materials will be available upon request. Nicholas Mallos, director of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas program, released the following statement:

“Starbucks’ decision to phase out single-use plastic straws is a shining example of the important role that companies can play in stemming the tide of ocean plastic. With eight million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean every year, we cannot afford to let industry sit on the sidelines, and we are grateful for Starbucks’ leadership in this space.

“Plastic straws have long figured among the top ten items collected every year during our International Coastal Cleanup; and in 2017, volunteers collected more than half a million straws from beaches and waters worldwide in just one day. That’s why we encourage our supporters to Skip the Straw when they are able, and are thrilled that Starbucks is providing millions of customers worldwide a way to easily join that movement.”

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Nicholas Mallos is available for interviews upon request.

Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.