The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has become the latest group in Europe to impose a ban on the use of plastic straws and stirrers as part of its environmental and sustainability initiatives.

SWA launched its Environmental Strategy in 2009 and has set new targets under its strategy, which included a commitment that all the products will be packaged with 100% recyclable materials by 2020.

Under its new initiative, SWA will be replacing the plastic straws and stirrers with new environmentally friendly biodegradable alternatives.

Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Karen Betts said: “The Scotch whisky industry takes sustainability very seriously.

“Through our environment strategy, the industry is taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment, including action to reduce non-fossil fuel use, increase recycling and ensure efficient use of water.

“It is encouraging to see Scotch whisky producers taking steps to phase out unnecessary plastics.”

“Our commitment to phasing out the use of all plastic straws and stirrers from all our offices, industry and events is yet another signal of our commitment to the environment. It is encouraging to see Scotch whisky producers taking steps to phase out unnecessary plastics.”

SWA also noted that it will encourage Scotch whisky producers in the region to follow and implement the new initiatives.

The Scotch whisky producing companies such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and Bacardi have announced that they will be replacing plastic straws and stirrers with biodegradable alternatives.

Betts further added: “We hope that this SWA commitment will lead to the industry uniting behind biodegradable alternatives so that Scotch whisky cocktails can continue to be enjoyed without discarded plastics continuing to have a damaging impact on the land, as well as at sea.”