DUMBARTON pubs that have binned plastic straws have been celebrated for their commitment to the environment.

The Clipper and Cheers bars announced they are both backing #TheLastStraw campaign, which was launched last month in a bid to highlight the damage they cause to the ocean.

The venues will begin to stock more environmentally friendly straws and they are keen to get public support with the campaign.

Danielle McRorie-Smith, operations manager for the venues, said: “We’ve been keen to stop the use of these straws for a while and we’re delighted to be able to make that happen.

“We won’t be ordering them anymore and while this decision will cost us financially, it was an easy decision to come to.”

She added: “While straws will still be available in our venues, we’re asking our customers to consider if they really need one.

“If they do, then we know we’re doing less damage to the environment. If customers don’t need a straw, then we’re all doing even more to benefit the cause.

Based on statistics produced by NUS, straws are used on average for 20 minutes but because they fail to degrade, they effectively remain as waste forever.

The Clipper and Cheers are two of the first establishments in the area to make the move and they’re calling on other venues to make the switch as well.

Dumbarton councillor Karen Conaghan praised the pubs for their initiative, adding: “We all have a duty to look after our environment and plastics of all varieties, especially single use items, have a major impact on polluting our world, particularly our rivers and seas.

“I hope that other local businesses will follow the lead of The Clipper and Cheers in reviewing what they can do to be more environmentally responsible.”

Councillor Brian Walker added: “We are all aware of the damage discarded plastics are doing to the environment, especially the world’s oceans so anything that will lessen this is to be commended.

“It is excellent that local businesses are taking a lead in this”

The Clipper’s manager, Gary Melville, said he hoped other venues would follow suit.

He added: “It also sends a message to other towns and to our customers, we can all make small changes to how we do things that can have a real benefit to the future.”

Councillor Iain McLaren added: “Plastic items such as straws are a blight on our environment, and are a major contributor to litter on our beaches and in our oceans.

“I would hope that businesses which wish to continue providing straws to customers will look at offering a biodegradable alternative.”

As the Reporter revealed as week, a loch-side village has launched the StrawLuss campaign, in a bid to make Luss a plastic straw-free area.