Eight Local Restaurants Commit to No Plastic Straws by Earth Day 2018

I’m really glad to see the movement to end the use of plastic straws picking up strength. We use over 500 million straws every day. They don’t degrade in landfills, are rarely recycled and large quantities of them seem to end up in the ocean. Now some local restaurants are taking action.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Locally owned neighborhood locations North 45, Paddy’s Bar & Grill, Circa 33, The Station, Cadillac Café, Produce Row Café, The Independent Sports Bar & Grill and Patton Maryland will no longer be serving plastic straws as of Earth Day 2018.

CEO and co-owner Jim Hall took note of the harsh impact of straws to the environment when on a recent outing to the coast with his family. A walk on the beach was littered with straws in the surf.

“Yes, purchasing compostable straws is more costly to our business operations…but it’s also the right thing to do,” says Hall. “Not every beverage needs a straw. In fact, straws may inhibit a guest from enjoying the nose/aromas of a great cocktail. Whenever possible, we’ll ditch straws from our beverage programs. When it’s necessary, say in our Whiskey Sour Slushy at Produce Row Café, we will choose a biodegradable straw. Of course if a guest requests a straw, we’ll bring it with a smile.”

North 45, Paddy’s Bar & Grill, Circa 33, The Station, Cadillac Café, Produce Row Café, The Independent Sports Bar & Grill and Patton Maryland raise their glass to toast Earth Day in other ways, too! They recycle. They compost. Herb and produce gardens exist at Cadillac Café, The Station and Patton Maryland. They choose local vendors whenever possible. Bike racks are front and center at Produce Row Café and Patton Maryland. All locations have been committed to compostable and recyclable to-go containers for many years.

About Independent Restaurant Concepts:

Independent Restaurant Concepts (IRC) is an owner-operated hospitality consultancy that contracts with, and manages, a collective of Portland area restaurants. Each IRC property has a unique concept and offering with the goal of delivering an amazing customer experience.

Principle owners, James Hall and Josh Johnston, got their start in 2006 with their first property, North 45, and have since expanded the portfolio to eight brick and mortar properties as well as an offsite catering company and consulting arm.

IRC locations are proud to give back to the communities in partnering with Children’s Cancer Association, Basic Rights Oregon, Ronald McDonald House, Randall Children’s Hospital, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Portland Children’s Museum, Pixie Project, Special Olympics Oregon and Make-a- Wish Foundation as well as supporting local schools and other worthy causes in and around their neighborhoods.