The campaign aiming to make Chester the first city in the UK to stop using plastic drinking straws has celebrated a major success.

More than 30 businesses have now pledged their support to #StrawFreeChester, meaning they’re no longer giving out straws with their drinks and will eventually be moving over to compostable or reusable alternatives.

Campaigners say this means they could officially class Chester as ‘straw-free’ – though they stress there’s plenty more to do.

Dr Christian Dunn launched #StrawFreeChester last year

Dr Christian Dunn, who is a lecturer at Bangor University but is based in the city, launched #StrawFreeChester last year.

He said: “We set ourselves the target of getting 30 businesses to go ‘straw-free’ based on a set of guidelines from the environmental group, Surfers Against Sewage.

“We never thought we’d reach it so quickly – but everyone in Chester has been fantastically supportive.

“Although we could officially say we’re ‘straw-free’ we’re not stopping until we really are the first city in the UK to stop using plastic drinking straws everywhere – and we have even bigger plans for Chester!”

#StrawFreeChester poster

The #StrawFreeChester campaign has been so successful that the campaigners are now stepping up their efforts and aiming to make Chester ‘plastic-free’, as part of #PlasticFreeChester.

They plan on gaining accreditation for this through the Surfers Against Sewage, Plastic Free Coastlines project.

Campaigner Helen Tandy, who is coordinator at Friends of the Earth Chester and District, explained the aims: “We need to get businesses in the city to stop using three different types of single-use plastics, and any type of company or organisation can get involved – so if you’re interested please get in-touch.

“We also looking for volunteers to help out as ‘plastic free pioneers’ to help show just how important the fight against plastic waste is.”

For more information visit www.strawfreechester.org .