Areas, a leading provider of food & beverage and travel retail services, announces the plan to eliminate single-use plastic straws at all Areas operated concepts in the United States. The transition to paper straws will begin in January, and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2019.

“We need to care for the future of our communities,” said Bill Casey, COO of Areas in the United States. “Our focus is on helping ensure we support a sustainable environment.”

This move away from plastic straws will result in the reduction of a little less than 1 million straws monthly. It is an important step in the right direction. However, Areas realizes that an even greater impact can be made by reducing the number of single use straws used altogether. To that end, Areas is also creating a new service culture to help support sustainability initiatives such as this one by providing straws only when requested.

“We are a guest focused operation that prioritizes the travelers’ needs and works to exceed their expectations,” said Sergio Rodriguez, CEO of Areas in the United States. “In this age of awareness, that also includes enabling our guests to do what’s best for the planet.”