U of Guelph bans plastic straws and bags at most campus restaurants and shops
The change should divert about 175,000 straws and 155,000 bags from landfills.

Plastic straws and bags are on their way out at the University of Guelph. The university’s hospitality services department has announced that it will no longer offer the single-use plastic products at most of its restaurants and shops. The change affects 17 of 22 food service locations but won’t apply to five licensed franchises operating on campus, including Tim Hortons and Booster Juice.
According to Ed Townsley, executive director of hospitality services, the change should divert about 175,000 straws and 155,000 bags from landfills. Food services and retail locations will continue to offer compostable plastic cutlery, compostable plastic straws (by customer request) and paper bags. The campus will also continue to sell pre-packaged drinks in plastic bottles due to contractual obligations to Coca-Cola.
The ban at U of G comes as social media campaigns to ditch takeaway plastic products gain momentum – the most successful being #StrawsSuck by the Surfrider Foundation, which turned a video of a turtle with a straw embedded in its nostril into international news. Though similar bans against plastic straws and bags have yet to take effect at other institutions in Canada, at least 14 universities have stopped selling bottled water.
Share
Most popular
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
Featured Jobs
- Emergency Medical Services - Dr. Ron Stewart EMS Clinician Scientist Dalhousie University
- Dean, Faculty of Health StudiesBrandon University
- Director – Faculty Bargaining ServicesCanadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO)
- Psychology - Assistant Professor, 9.5 month TermSaint Mary's University
More from News
-
Neurodiversity in Canadian postsecondary education
More support and recognition needed according to Conference Board of Canada report.
-
The Scarborough Charter and addressing anti-Black racism among francophone postsecondary institutions in Quebec
Under the charter, Canadian postsecondary institutions pledge to establish frameworks to eliminate anti-Black racism from their campuses.
-
Postsecondary education welcomes new government
Universities will be critical to economic growth, say leaders.
-
Judge overturns Quebec’s tuition hikes on out-of-province students
The decision is a partial victory for McGill and Concordia universities.
More from Campus news
-
Five UM scholars named among Canada’s Most Powerful Women
‘I like to think that a powerful woman is one who has the wherewithal to bring out the best in those she leads, mentors, and serves.’
-
UCalgary postdoc studying how to protect cattle from pesky flies
Not just a nuisance, flies pose potential health and behavioural risks to cows.
-
UNB student launches interdisciplinary fashion project into zero gravity
Who knew a flower could bloom in space?
-
U of T prof’s animatronic puppets are inspiring kids to use tech as a tool for creativity
‘It’s a bit of a stealth STEM program.’
More from Articles
-
An historic undertaking for Indigenous education in Quebec
Quebec’s first university by and for Indigenous Peoples in partnership with the First Nations Education Council and Quebec universities.
-
Sports administration: an academic boom in a challenging market
Canadian sports administration programs are proliferating, but questions arise about whether available training outstrips job prospects.
-
Memorial med student makes art to assist classmates’ study
What started as a hobby is now helpful for both his degree and his fellow classmates.
-
UNBC prof developing toolkit to help women feel safe online
‘Digital rights is a very important form of gender equality.’
Post a comment
University Affairs moderates all comments according to the following guidelines. If approved, comments generally appear within one business day. We may republish particularly insightful remarks in our print edition or elsewhere.