Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has become the first local authority in Scotland to pledge
to go plastic-
Last week Kate Forbes
MSP, who is spearheading the Final Straw campaign, wrote to all of Scotland’s 32
councils urging them to ditch plastic straws to help save the environment.
In Scotland
consumers throw away an estimated three billion plastic straws each year.
The comhairle
confirmed it is phasing out plastic straws for civic catering as well as in all of
the schools across the islands.
Angus McCormack, chairman of education, sport and
children’s services at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar: “The Comhairle is pleased to be
the first local authority in Scotland to commit to being plastic straw-
“As an
authority with a significant length of coastline, the comhairle is well aware of
the amount of waste deposited on our beaches and coast, and the environmental damage
caused, in addition to the cost of removal.
“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has sourced paper straws for use in all our schools and
civic catering establishments, and, where these are not already in use, paper straws
will be introduced as soon as the few remaining stocks of plastic straws are used.”
Kate
Forbes said she is “full of admiration” for the council for leading the way in cracking
down on plastic straws.
She added: “It is to the credit of all staff at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar that they
are willing to make this move to being plastic-
“Of
all councils, perhaps Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has the most stark reminder of the
importance in protecting our seas, coastline and wildlife.
“The Western Isles face
the same challenges as all councils in cracking down on plastic straws, but it is
usually rural areas that really bear the brunt of marine litter and rural volunteers
who spend time cleaning our beaches.
“I hope that the actions of Comhairle nan Eilean
Siar prompt other councils to follow suit and ban plastic straws across their sites
too, from school buildings to council canteens.”
The last straw for the comhairle
17 January 2018