Broadcast: News items

In December 2017, SussexFood stopped using plastic straws in its outlets. These have now been replaced by more sustainable biodegradable paper straws.

While the University's catering outlets already try to keep straw use to a minimum by handing them out only on request, this switch to an environmentally friendly product is a further push to reduce non-recyclable waste at Sussex. In October last year, the University signed up to the only paper cup recycling scheme in the UK.

According to environmental advocacy group Ocean Conservancy, plastic straws have habitually been one of the top ten items that are found on beaches all across the world during the International Coastal Cleanup.

In addition, campaigning group Clean Water Action say that every plastic drinking straw ever used still exists on the planet, with the plastic straws taking more than 200 years to break down. When the straws do decompose, they break down into small plastic microparticles that can find their way into our food chain.