The Kia Oval, home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club and one of the main international venues in England, has announced that it will no longer serve plastic straws with drinks bought at the stadium.
The new policy will be introduced from the 2018 season and has been brought in as part of the club’s continuing efforts to reduce its environmental impact. It covers all cricket at the ground, as well as the approximately 1,500 non-matchday events that are held at the stadium every year.
The single use plastic straws will be replaced by a fully biodegradable paper alternative, which will be given out with all drinks that require straws.
In 2017, the Kia Oval helped UK pay-television broadcaster Sky launch its ‘Sky Ocean Rescue’ campaign at the 100th Test held at the London ground, with the broadcaster funding the installation of 12 new water fountains around the venue as well as handing out 20,000 reusable drinking bottles to fans.
Elliott Moore, head of catering at the Kia Oval, said: “Removing plastic straws is just one of a number of new environmental initiatives we will be bringing in this season.
“Given the scale of the operation we run here, entirely removing plastic straws was not a straightforward operation. However, it is something I am personally very pleased that we’ve done and a major step in the right direction.”
Image: Gareth Williams
Share this