A business association in the fringe suburbs of Auckland has declared a plastic straw ban, the first district to do so in the city. The Uptown Business Association, which covers the suburbs Grafton, Newton, Eden Terrace and parts of Mt Eden, said that its members will no longer use up to half a million straws every year.
"Giving up plastic straws is a very simple, easy thing to do and it will make a very big difference," said events manager Helen Shrewsbury. "Eco-straws are slightly more expensive but people just don't want a straw.”
Parts of Christchurch have already declared themselves plastic straw-free, as has the Wellington waterfront.
The leftover straws will be turned into a sculpture by environmental artist Brydee Rood.
