Restaurant operator Skylark to ban plastic straws by 2020

Why why do you have to wait until 2020? How about just not reordering them when they run out this year.

Unfortunately Gusto probably is one of the smaller chains in Japan that use straws on a massive level. But its a good first step and Gusto have taken one!

Straws are the least of it. Plastic bags and drink bottles are the worst culprits. At least this will help call attention to the problem - there is still little awareness of plastic pollution as compared to global warming - despite the fact that we can see the results now, no dubious computer projections, and we can actually fix it (which is doubtful in the case of global warming).

jee wiz.... just do it already.

But we separate the trash here??? Wha???

I brought one of my American habits with me and drink straight out of the glass. I guess I am helping to save the earth while doing so.

Why by 2020? Just stop using the flipping things! Why is every change in Japan dated for 2020? Yeah, that’s when the Olympics are on. So what? It’s also the year Abe has promised to fix the child care crisis. Get ready for another delay on that one.

Ban all straws, drink from the glass.

So many important things going on in this world and now plastic straws are considered a concern. Sheesh...

Skylark said it is considering alternatives such as straws using biodegradable materials.

This mysterious material existed before plastic, Skylark, it's called paper When I was a kid all straws were made of paper, as were disposable cups and plates. You can still buy them in the UK

They are all using this for PR. Even without straws, the fast-foods sell more useless garbage than food.

American habits with me and drink straight out of the glass

I thought that was Americans that spread the habits of drinking with a plastic straw, out of single-use cups/containers, eat food wrapped in single use plastic/paper even when it's not a take-out and you get a second...

When I was a kid all straws were made of paper, 

In my sticks, straws are made of... straw.

Good on Skylark group. That's a lot of restaurants....Gusto, Jonathan's, Bamiyan etc.

Personally I hate paper straws. Why do you need a straw anyway?

Reese - So many important things going on in this world and now plastic straws are considered a concern. Sheesh...

Oh, yes! I’m sure plastic drinking straws seem trivial to you sitting in front of your computer. However, they are a serious environmental problem with literally billions of them being used every day, many of which end up in rivers and oceans. Have a look on YouTube for a video showing a 20cm plastic straw being removed from a sea turtle’s nostril. That might help convince you of the importance of this issue.

For many, life without a straw won’t suck.

Personally I hate paper straws. Why do you need a straw anyway?

Some people actually swallow too much air when they drink. That air has to escape somehow. Some folks might be embarrassed by one or both means of egress. A straw will reduce that dramatically. Several GPs over the years have told me this.

However, I don’t recommended asking for a straw for your brewski in a biker bar.

Why why do you have to wait until 2020? How about just not reordering them when they run out this year.

Because a replacement needs to be found. You don't really expect me to drink my frappacino from the cup do you?

I heard in some place either Oregon or California is using the long hollow pasta noodles for straws. Pasta, if waxed, could be used for cups, straws, and plasticware (knives, spoons, & forks). Paper bags, with reinforced handles (wraps under bag and on sides too), could sub quite well for plastic bags. Waxing and colouring can still give it a modern look.