Plastic Free July at the Great White House Restaurant
This month gives us the opportunity to share some of the things we do throughout the year to reduce single-use plastics at the Great White House Restaurant.
These changes were not made overnight. Some have been part of our business for well over a decade while others have been introduced as better alternatives have become available. None of them are complicated but together they help reduce the amount of plastic we use every day.
In 2011 we made the decision to stop using plastic straws. At the time paper straws were not easy to find and the first ones were not great. They became soggy quickly and did not last until the end of your drink.
Despite that, we stuck with it. Today paper straws have improved considerably and for those looking for a long-term alternative we also stock reusable stainless steel straws in our curio shop.
If you've visited us before you'll know that every takeaway meal and every curio purchase leaves in a paper bag. It has become the normal way of doing things for us. It is a simple change but one that keeps thousands of plastic bags out of circulation over time. Where it is possible we choose beverages in glass bottles or cans instead of single-use plastic bottles. Glass and aluminium can both be recycled and it is an easy choice for us when sourcing products for our bar.
Plastic doesn't only come in the form of packaging. For birthdays and celebrations, we don't use balloons or plastic confetti. These are often used for a short time but can remain in the environment for many years. Instead, we use beautiful fresh flowers and table décor that can be re-used. Looking ahead we're proud of the progress we've made but we don't see it as finished.
As new products become available and better alternatives are introduced, we'll continue looking for ways to reduce single-use plastics in our restaurant and curio shop.
Thank you to everyone who supports these choices and continues to support local businesses that are trying to make a difference.
