[vc_row video_bg=”true” video_bg_url=””][vc_column][vc_separator color=”mulled_wine” border_width=”2″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”span” size=”20″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”17″ size_tablet=”17″ size_phone=”16″ margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”Open+Sans” font_type=”google” align=”center”]We’ve got a bottle of Clemengold Gin and a Restraw Glass Straw to give away to a lucky Hospitality Marketplace reader![/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”mulled_wine” border_width=”2″][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”large” icon=”mk-li-star” url=”#comp” fullwidth=”true” bg_color=”#ac090c” btn_hover_bg=”rgba(255,61,127,0.51)” btn_hover_txt_color=”#424242″]Win a bottle of Clemengold Gin and a Restraw Glass Straw![/mk_button][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1524727654857{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]It feels as though you can’t scroll through your Instagram feed without seeing a new story of a restaurant or hotel getting rid of single-use plastic straws, which is incredible news for the environment! Thanks to growing awareness about the damage that single-use plastics are doing to our planet, plastic straws are a definite no-no, so we chatted to a few establishments to find out how they got rid of plastic straws, what they replaced them with and how they’re letting their customers know.

TINTSWALO ATLANTIC | HOUT BAY

Why did you decide to use glass straws in your establishment? We felt that the elegance of the glass straw would work with the look, feel and style of our 5-star lodge. A lot of attention and passion goes into the creation of our cocktails and the glass straw simply finishes it all off perfectly! In addition, Tintswalo has a policy to always try to support ‘local’ first where possible, and we were therefore delighted to source the glass straws from a local supplier called Glass Sipper based in Hout Bay. We also stock the glass straws in our gift/curio shop where they have proved to be very popular souvenirs.

Is the cleaning process quite labour-intensive? Not really, although the straws are of course fragile. The special straw cleaner looks like a really thin and dainty bottle brush. Once cleaned with the brush in soapy water, we simply pop them into the dishwasher.

Have you communicated with your guests and staff about being single-use straw free? Yes, our team is hands-on and our service is always quite personal – we encourage service staff to engage freely with our guests, many of whom are regular repeat guests. Being based in the Table Mountain National Park, and operating so close to nature, everyone in our team understands our responsibility to the environment, especially as we are situated right on the ocean.

PARK INN POLOKWANE | POLOKWANE

Have you replaced single-use plastic straws with anything? We have not yet replaced the single-use straw and are giving guests the option to go straw-free or not, but we are looking at replacing with bio-degradable and paper straws. The Radisson Hotel Group’s goal is to go completely straw free.

How have you communicated the removal of plastic straws to your guests? Our Live Inn Room restaurant boast a big black board where we post notices or upcoming promotions, but it has been exclusively used to promote the #refusethestraw campaign. We have also placed menu inserts in our menus and posters all around our hotel.

Our staff is our main promoter of the campaign. They have risen to the occasion with gusto and zeal to make the campaign their own and use it to deliver on one of our company values of #everymomentmatters and #responsiblebusiness.

How have your staff been advised to communicate the removal of plastic straws? We produced a small video on the #refusethestraw subject and its effects on our oceans and showcased this during our monthly staff roadshow. The campaign has been received with eager hearts by all our staff, from housekeeping and engineering, straight through to food and drink and reception.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”30″][mk_image src=”https://hospitalitymarketplace.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/tintswalo-atlantic-glass-straw.jpg” image_size=”full” align=”center”][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1524727935985{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

OYSTERBOX HOTEL | UMHLANGA

What have you replaced single-use plastic straws with? We no longer automatically give guests straws when they order a drink.  If they ask for one, we provide paper straws, which we recycle along with our other paper.

How have you communicated the initiative to your guests? We have notices in our lobby, as well as in all our F&B outlets explaining the initiative.

How have your staff been briefed? By e-mail, in staff meetings and daily F&B briefings.

LIZ MCGRATH COLLECTION | HERMANUS, CONSTANTIA AND PLETTENBERG BAY

What are you replacing single-use plastic straws with? We now use biodegradable paper straws in all 3 properties within The Liz McGrath Collection – The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, The Marine & The Plettenberg. They are available in multiple colours to suit the establishment.

How are you communicating this to your guests? We explain to guests that we use paper straws to help save our environment and the decision has been greatly welcomed by guests. It also makes them more aware of the role they can play too.

Have you briefed your staff in any particular way to deal with queries about going straw-free? We give straws only with cocktails and only on request with other beverages.

 

Keep in Mind:

While we should all be removing single-use plastic straws from our lives, keep in mind that some guests with disabilities require straws to drink their beverages so make sure you have a stash of eco-friendly straws available.

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COMPETITION: WIN A BOTTLE OF CLEMENGOLD GIN AND A RESTRAW GLASS STRAW

ClemenGold Gin and RESTRAW recently partnered for Earth Day, offering gin-lovers a guilt-free way to enjoy their favourite gin cocktail – with a reusable RESTRAW glass straw!

RESTRAW’s glass straws are manufactured and branded locally, each one hand crafted with the utmost care, and each come in a 100% hemp fabric sleeve made from recycled and biodegradable material.

ClemenGold Gin treats gin lovers to a smooth Classic Cape Dry style gin with subtle hints of citrus. The ClemenGold fruit used is grown in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape with the strictest environmentally sustainable practices in mind.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row video_bg=”true” video_bg_url=”#”][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”30″][vc_separator color=”mulled_wine” border_width=”2″][mk_fancy_title size=”20″ force_font_size=”true” size_smallscreen=”17″ size_tablet=”17″ size_phone=”16″ margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”Open+Sans” font_type=”google” responsive_align=”left”]Complete the competition entry form below![/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1524728328761{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vfb id=’18’][/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”20″][vc_column_text align=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1526037537313{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Competition ends on Wednesday the 16th of May. Good luck!

 

Entries are only open to those in South Africa.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]