The Gwinnett Stripers will no longer issue plastic straws or lids with their refreshments this coming season.
The Triple-A International Baseball League announced Tuesday that their organization, alongside Professional Sports Catering, will stop automatically giving straws and lids out with beverages on Opening Night, April 4.
A release from the organization said the team is close to Lake Lanier, and that factor plus a new commitment to environmental responsibility sparked the change in policy.
“We are proud to partner with Professional Sports Catering to eliminate straws and lids from Coolray Field this season and beyond,” said Stripers Vice President and General Manager Adam English. “With waterways like Lake Lanier so vital to the prosperity of Gwinnett County and North Georgia, we feel it is our responsibility to minimize our environmental impact on the community. The Stripers and PSC will continue to seek ways to be leaders in environmental sustainability and awareness.”
The policy does make an exception for those with special needs and will have a limited numbers of straws and lids for fans that need them.
Additionally, the Stripers will host four environmentally-sustainable giveaways this season. The first 500 fans on April 15 will receive a recycle tote bag; the first 2,500 fans on April 27 will receive mason jar cups; the first 500 fans on "Go Green Night" July 15 will get reusable straws; the first 500 fans on July 29 will get a water bottle.
The season opens on Thursday with the Stripers facing the Norfolk Tide at 7:05 p.m.
