Private sector leads single-use plastic bans

While many governments around the world are debating the merits of banning plastic bags, pressure on corporations to take action against single-use plastic is rising. Leading the charge is Whole Foods in the USA, which announced that it will no longer distribute plastic straws to customers. The company also said that it would work to reduce the amount of plastic packaging used throughout its stores, including for fresh vegetables and rotisserie chickens. Going forward, rotisserie chickens will be packaged in plastic sleeves that use 70% less plastic than the previous container. Shoppers in the fresh produce section will also find smaller plastic bags for wrapping fruit and vegetables. In total, the brand claims these moves will eliminate 800,000 pounds of plastic waste every year.