A new Limerick company is distributing drinking straws to not only save the ocean but to also offer an extra treat to nibble on.<\/p>\n
Ecostraws, founded by members of Bilbao Athletic Club in Cappamore, Brian O\u2019Callaghan, Sarah Keyes and Anthony Egan,\u00a0 supply biodegradable drinking straws and cutlery.<\/p>\n
The trio\u2019s idea sparked\u00a0during a run after attending the\u00a0National Geographic Symphony for our World performance at the Gaelic Grounds back in September.<\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Callaghan, the Managing Director of Ecostraws, said that the performance\u00a0\u201cstruck a chord\u201d with himself and his co-founders.<\/p>\n
A week before the launch, the\u00a0European Parliament announced the banning\u00a0of single-use plastics by 2021 as they make up 70% of ocean waste.<\/p>\n
This was an opportune and expected change for\u00a0the startup; however, Mr O\u2019Callaghan\u00a0did not anticipate how soon the ban would be announced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mindset is changing, and your head would have to be buried in the sand to not realise the current movement,\u201d Mr O\u2019Callaghan claimed.<\/p>\n
The catalogue provides\u00a0a variety of flavours of\u00a0straws such as bamboo, glass,\u00a0stainless steel and even edible straws which are proving an early favourite with customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe chocolate flavoured straws are\u00a0used often when drinking hot chocolate and a few caf\u00e9s in Limerick have also sent some enquiries about them already with Christmas coming up,\u201d Mr O\u2019Callaghan explained.<\/p>\n
Ecostraws\u00a0also provide reusable coffee cups or \u201cEcocups\u201d and environmentally-friendly cutlery.<\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Callaghan is pleased to see the city and county\u2019s proactive attitude to environmentally-friendly projects and is\u00a0also looking\u00a0forward to work with more local clients in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a local business allows us to provide that personal touch in wanting to support other local business, so their support is important,\u201d the Knockainey native added.<\/p>\n