A Waterford publican says that the current cost of bio-degradable alternatives to plastic straws are too expensive for most businesses.
The British Government have announced a proposal to phase out single-use plastics, which cannot be recycled. In the U.K. about 23 million straws are used and discarded daily.
The Irish Pubs Global trade association has called on it's members to stop their use because of concerns about the impact on the environment.
40 of the group's member pubs including 'Revolution' and 'Oscar's' Bar in Waterford City have signed a pledge to phase out the use of plastics over the coming year.
Owner Jim 'Flash' Gordon says the cost of buying in bio-degradables is crazy.
Flash says they've reduced the usage of plastic straws significantly over the past few months.
He says he would like to see other pubs and cafe's in Waterford using bio-degradables.
