Capri-Sun set to reintroduce plastic straws despite EU ban
The company Capri-Sun wants to reintroduce plastic straws. According to the CEO, while the intentions behind introducing paper straws were noble, the end result was disappointing. The manufacturer aims to initiate this change in the Swiss market before seeking approval to reintroduce plastic straws in European Union countries.
The European Union has banned the sale of single-use plastic products since July 2021. This so-called plastic directive removed plastic cutlery, plates, cotton buds, balloon sticks, single-use food containers, and plastic cups from stores.
Plastic straws have also been included on the banned products list, but some consumers opposed this decision. Paper straws tend to dissolve, and a study published in the journal Food Additives & Contaminants revealed that some eco-friendly straws contain persistent and potentially toxic chemicals, often referred to as "forever chemicals."
Capri-Sun withdraws from paper
Roland Weening, CEO of Capri-Sun, announced that the company will stop using paper straws in Switzerland. The German service t-online.de reports that the company is exploring alternatives.
"A paper straw has good intentions, but in our case, it makes no sense," said Weening, as quoted by the service.
Capri-Sun is known for selling drinks in small, 7-fluid-ounce pouches. A company spokesperson stated that the packaging will be recyclable in the future, allowing both the pouch and straw to be disposed of together. However, with a paper straw, consumers must dispose of the bag and straw in separate bins.
T-online.de notes that using plastic straws is permissible in Switzerland because the country is not bound by the "plastic directive." In EU countries, the manufacturer will seek special permission. However, the service comments that the likelihood of such approval from Brussels is "rather slim."
