PERNOD RICARD SETS WORLDWIDE ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY EXAMPLE

Following a global shift against the use of single use plastic straws, due to their harmful impact on our environment and oceans, Pernod Ricard is leading by example by banning the use of plastic straws and stirrers in any part of its business.

A straw which is only used on average for 20 minutes can take more than 200 years to breakdown into smaller pieces and often does not fully disintegrate. It has been reported that country-wide the UK and USA alone throw away around 550 million plastic straws every day.

Vanessa Wright, Group VP for Sustainability and Responsibility, said: “The history of Pernod Ricard and our values are intrinsically linked to social responsibility and care – it is a part of us, and the creation of the Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute more than 50 years is a concrete example. We know that this type of non-biodegradable plastic is having a detrimental impact on the environment and oceans, and for us it’s crucial that we play our role in helping to prevent any further damage.”

Local Moray MSP, Richard Lochhead, has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the company on its stance on straws and stirrers.

In the motion, he has recommended that ‘Parliament congratulates Pernod Ricard on its decision to ban plastic straws and stirrers in any part of its business; understands that the business has decided to stop using non-biodegradable straws and stirrers as part of its New Year resolutions; notes that the group has asked all of its affiliates globally to ensure that non-biodegradable straws are not used at any Pernod Ricard events in the future; acknowledges that a straw, which is only used for an average of 20 minutes, can take more than 200 years to breakdown into smaller pieces and often does not disintegrate; recognises that this is an important step for the beverage industry in tackling the damaging impacts that non-biodegradable plastics are having on the global environment; commends Pernod Ricard’s decision to ban plastic straws and stirrers, and hopes that other industry-leading organisations will follow in its footsteps.’

Along with contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Pernod Ricard is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. Pernod Ricard’s 2020 Roadmap includes reducing its waste to landfills with an ambitious goal: from 913 tons today to 0 by 2020.