Queen bans plastic straws and bottles from royal properties

  • 12/02/2018
Queen bans plastic straws and bottles from royal properties
Photo credit: Getty

The Queen has banned the use of plastic straws and bottles from royal estates in an effort to cut back on plastic.

Buckingham Palace announced new measures to phase out plastic straws in public cafes, and an immediate ban on their use in staff dining rooms.

Caterers at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh will only be permitted to use china plates and glasses, or recyclable paper cups.

Takeaway food at any of the Royal Collection cafes must now be made of compostable or biodegradable packaging, according to the Daily Telegraph.

"Across the organisation, the Royal Household is committed to reducing its environmental impact," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

"As part of that, we have taken a number of practical steps to cut back on the use of plastics. At all levels, there's a strong desire to tackle this issue."

It is thought that the Queen became personally interested in the problem of plastic after working with Sir David Attenborough on a conservation documentary dealing with wildlife in the Commonwealth.

Newshub.