It is said Americans use approximately 500 million plastic straws every day.
Bacardi have teamed up with the Lonely Whale Team to reduce the use of disposable plastic straws and clean up our oceans. The main aim is to remove one billion straws by 2020.
Bacardi Limited is the world’s largest privately held company for producing spirits. In April 2018, the company was also named one of the world’s most reputable. It is the sixth year that they achieved a place on the list compiled by the Reputation Institute.
In May 2018, Bacardi held their ‘Annual Bacardi Good Spirited Awards’. Employees and facilities across the company received recognition for their environmental achievements. To create awareness of their ‘No Straws’ campaign was one of five categories. No Straws was launched in 2016 when Bacardi led the way within the drinks industry by removing plastic straws form their cocktails.
The company has now committed to reduce and remove non-essential single-use plastic items and increase recyclable and biodegradable plastics. Action will commence with a review of their supply chain.
A series of collaborations and events worldwide have been put in place as Bacardi encourages consumers and other interested people to join their campaign #TheFutureDoesntSuck.
Rick Wilson, senior vice president of Corporate Responsibility, Bacardi, said: “Single-use plastic items are among the most collected pieces of trash in our oceans. We are urging our consumers to add “No plastic straw, please” to every drink order. Together we can change.”
Working alongside Bacardi is Lonely Whale, an award-winning non-profit organization. Dedicated to proposals that can positively impact our oceans, Lonely Whale announced their commitment to help rid the environment of single-use plastic, including the one billion disposable plastic straws by 2020. Previously, Lonely Whale created one of the most celebrated global movements with the ‘Strawless Ocean’ initiative, removing 500 million plastic straws from the U.S. waste stream.
The rum brand and Lonely Whale will bring consumers and businesses together, working towards reductions. Illustrations showing the world’s oceans will be used to support the campaign. Plastic straws will be eliminated from all branded events including their rum truck, whilst also using biodegradable paper cups.
