Shoney’s is the latest restaurant chain to begin the process of phasing out plastic straws.
Shoney’s Chairman and CEO David Davoudpour announced Tuesday that the company will completely eliminate plastic straws by 2020.
“America has spoken and Shoney’s always listens and for the sake of the environment and our communities, we are taking action,” said Mr. Davoudpour. “We are in the people business and have spent decades doing the right things in our neighborhoods as well as our restaurants and are committed to being at the forefront of this change.”
Plastic straws contribute to ocean pollution and pose a danger to marine life. Some governments have begun banning them.
Starbucks announced earlier this month that they were going “strawless” and transitioning to lids that feature a raised lip.
However, the decision has drawn concern from those with disabilities, who rely on straws.
"I'd be more than happy to use more environmentally friendly straws," said Daniel Gilbert, of Owensboro, Kentucky. “(The disabled community) isn't trying to be anti-environment. We're just protecting disabled people."
*CNN contributed to this article.
