The One Thing You Won’t See At Buckingham Palace Anymore

By Amy Hunt
Fresh on the heels of the EU’s urgent plan to eliminate single-use plastics by 2030, Queen Elizabeth II is now taking action against waste by imposing a ban on plastic straws and bottles on all royal estates.
The Queen is thought to have become personally interested in the issue after working with Sir David Attenboroughon a conservation documentary focusing on wildlife in the Commonwealth. The pair, who are both 91, were filmed laughing and joking together, before beginning their discussion on plansto create a network of national forested parks across the 52 countries of the Commonwealth.
Her Majesty’s “strong desire to tackle the issue” means that Buckingham Palace will impose new waste plans in a bid to reduce the use of plastics “at all levels”.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said, “Across the organisation, the royalhousehold is committed to reducing its environmental impact. As part of that, we have taken a number of practical steps to cut back on the use of plastics."
The new rules will prohibit plastic straws and bottles, reducing their use inpublic cafés on royal estates and completely eliminating them in staff dining rooms. Caterers at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holywoodhouse in Edinburgh will only be allowed to use china plates and glasses, or recyclable paper cups.
Takeaway food items in the Royal Collection cafés are all to be made of compostable or biodegradable packaging.
And the Queen isn’t the only royal family member with concerns about our use of plastic. Prince Charles regularly speaks about the environmental damage caused by plastic consumption.
"The nightmare result of 8 million tons of plastic entering the ocean every year is set to get worse rather than better,” he told a conference last month.
“We cannot, indeed must not, allow this situation to continue.”
Reports show that Buckingham Palace has already made progress in reducing waste. From 2016 to 2017, waste was reduced by 5.1%.
Buckingham Palace employees are also sent ‘green newsletter’ reminding them to reduce waste.
Richard Harrington, of the Marine Conservation Society, said in response to the changes, “This shows real leadership and sets a great example. It will also incentivise businesses to reduce the amount of plastic they routinely use.”
-
-
The ultimate natural makeup look - here are the products you need and our favourite looks to inspire
Want a fuss-free natural makeup look? This guide has got you covered
By Fiona McKim •
-
Easy gardening tips that every gardener should know—but often doesn’t
Celebrity gardener David Domoney shares his simple and cheap ways to make your garden great again
By Selina Maycock •
-
Easy gardening tips that every gardener should know—but often doesn’t
Celebrity gardener David Domoney shares his simple and cheap ways to make your garden great again
By Selina Maycock •
-
‘True justice requires much more,’ Michelle Obama and other celebrities react to George Floyd verdict
Michelle Obama, Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, and other celebrities react to Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict in historic George Floyd trial
By Laura Harman •
-
Prince Philip asked an 80-year-old photographer to hide in a fake pillar at his funeral for this surprising reason
Prince Philip requested the royal photographer make himself scarce at his military funeral service last Saturday
By Emma Dooney •
-
Prince Harry misses the Queen’s 95th birthday after returning to the US
Prince Harry has missed the Queen’s 95th birthday after flying back to California yesterday afternoon
By Emma Dooney •
-
Derek Chauvin found guilty for the murder of George Floyd
The jury has officially come to a unanimous decision for Derek Chauvin's trial over the murder of George Floyd
By Rylee Johnston •
-
No mask, no problem at the Oscars: Academy Award guests will not be required to wear face coverings on camera
Here are the rules
By Danielle Valente •
-
Here’s where to watch the movies nominated for Oscars this year
From Minari to Promising Young Woman
By Danielle Valente •
-
You’ll never guess how Kate Winslet’s daughter has hidden her connection to her mother
Kate Winslet’s daughter has decided to take up acting but used this one clever way to hide their connection
By Rylee Johnston •