Originally Published by Hilton.
Single use plastic straws are stirring up controversy because of their impact on the environment. They pollute our oceans and harm marine life who eat the tiny pieces of plastic. And here’s an alarming fact it takes nearly 200 years for a single straw to break down. In May, Hilton decided to make some significant changes and remove straws from 650 managed properties by the end of 2018.
Later this year, Hilton Waikoloa Village will start using edible straws made of seaweed. The straws will have different flavors matching the guest’s drink. For example, kids might get a strawberry-flavored straw with their smoothie. Other hotels are using biodegradable straws made out of paper, sugar and cornstarch. At the Seychelles Labriz Resort and Spa the straws are made out of pasta and the Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa use lemongrass.
The changes will prevent approximately 35 million plastic straws from entering landfill and oceans by the end of this year.
However, it’s not just straws that suck for the environment, so do plastic bottles. That’s why meetings and events are going plastic-free at hotels in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific saving the ocean from being littered with more than 20 million bottles.
Hilton is redefining sustainable travel and taking action to cut its environment footprint in half by 2030 and drive change across supply chain operations. It’s not only reducing plastics, but also finding innovative alternatives to help us to be hospitable to our guests and the planet.
It’s how we help our guests Travel with Purpose and make a difference in communities around the world.
