Joining a growing list of companies making eco-friendly product changes, The Coffee Club New Zealand has announced it will no longer be using plastic straws as it seeks to eliminate nearly one million plastic straws annually.

The cafe brand will instead introduce Eco Straws, a 100 per cent recyclable and compostable paper straw, across its 63 stores.

“Like many of our customers, we are concerned about the negative environmental impact of plastic straws being disposed of irresponsibly,” The Coffee Club co-director Andy Lucas said.

“Earlier this year, we stopped using straws for many drinks that simple didn’t need one, which reduced our straw usage dramatically.

“Moving to a non-plastic straw for the remaining drinks will allow us to further reduce waste and minimise the impact that our stores have on the environment.”

The change comes weeks after the New Zealand Government proposed phasing out single-use plastic bags and retailers such as Starbucks and Warehouse Group announced plans to reduce their environmental impact.

Countdown general manager of corporate affairs Kiri Hannifin recently said the current issues New Zealand faces around waste can only be solved with a whole system approach.

“We have a responsibility as a large New Zealand company to help reduce corporate pressure on our waste system and ensure we protect our previous natural environment for generations to come,” said Hannifin.

Countdown pledged to move toward 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging in its own brands by 2025.