Food Lover’s Market is the latest in a rapidly growing list of stores to declare war on plastic waste, in particular, straws. The franchise’s 'Withdraw The Straw' campaign was launched in June 2018 and will see plastic straws being replaced by paper ones in all of their stores across South Africa.Head of sustainability for the Food Lover’s Market Group, Andrew Millson, says that the campaign aligns with the company’s philosophy of sustainable values and embraces the responsibility we all share for the environment.“The facts around plastic straws are shocking and its one of the most common items found during beach cleanups. As they are lightweight and easily blown away by the wind, they often end up in our marine waters. Animals – such as seagulls and turtles – ingest these plastics which can lead to their deaths,” says Millson.Food Lover’s Market also offers recyclable boxes as an alternative to plastic grocery bags. Soon, the retailer will roll out paper bags across all stores in South Africa, pushing the end to the harmful plastic bag epidemic. Shoppers now have the option to purchase a paper bag or use a box to carry their fresh produce.“Food Lover’s Market is passionate about protecting the environment and limiting plastic straw usage is merely another step in our journey to sustainability,” says Millson. Plastic accounts for 73% of beach litter worldwide, including cigarette butts, bottles, grocery bags and polystyrene containers. Straws are among the top 10 waste items found during beach cleanups.It is evident that plastic waste poses a serious threat to land and marine life. Researchers estimate that around 100 000 marine animals are killed every year from consuming plastic waste. Everyone has a responsibility to cut down on plastic waste and the easiest place to start is to refuse plastic straws and grocery bags.___Averda is a leading waste management provider with over 50 years of experience across three continents. Through growth, transformation and engagement, we strive to find new ways of managing waste while protecting the community and environment. ___By pairing international expertise with local insights, we have secured our position as one of South Africa’s most respected providers of waste management and industrial cleaning services. We also operate in the recycling, pipe inspection, CCTV, infrastructure inspection, hydro-demolition, high-pressure water jetting and catalyst handling industries. ___Follow us Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the best tips on recycling and the latest industry news. See our Instagram and YouTube channels for more insights into environmental affairs and our work with local communities.