Local restaurants phasing out plastic straws

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nationwide and in Charlotte, restaurants are starting to phase out plastic straws.

Customer Corey Shemtov said, "I heard about Starbucks getting rid of those straws. I think it’s good for the environment. It makes sense.”

[RELATED: Starbucks to phase out plastic straws at all locations]

This year, big names like Disney, American Airlines, Great Wolf Lodge and Ikea announced they'll also stop using plastic straws in an effort to protect the environment.

Channel 9's Gina Esposito showed Shemtov a plastic straw and a bio degradable one. He couldn't tell the difference.

“Not at all. As long as the straw does what its supposed to do, it’s fine by me,” said Shemtov.

Mac's Speed Shop is the latest company to cut out plastic straws.

The Corporate Communication Director for Mac's Hospitality Group, Samantha Chapman, said over the next month or so, plastic straws at their eight locations will be replaced with more expensive biodegradable ones. The location off South Boulevard has already made the switch.

“For us, we weren't looking at it from a cost. We were looking at it from an environment, sort of our due diligence, and our duty in the bigger picture,” said Chapman.

[RELATED: Here's why people are ditching their plastic straws]

The Southbound restaurant off South Boulevard is also owned by Mac’s Hospitality Group. It has never used plastic straws.

Workers have been putting paper straws in customers' drinks since they opened in September 2017. The restaurant also has environment-friendly take out supplies.

RuRu's Tacos and Tequila off Providence Road just switched to environmentally friendly products. The restaurant posted signs with facts about how plastic straws hurt the ocean and marine life.

Shemtov, who ate at Mac’s Speed Shop on Thursday, said every effort will help.

He said, “I think it’s awesome. Any way you can help the environment is good. I didn't notice a difference in the straws at all, as long as it still has function and added benefits. Right on.”

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