The Common Man removes plastic straws company-wide, makes the switch to paper

COURTESY
ASHLAND — The Common Man family in New Hampshire has removed all plastic straws from its restaurants statewide, investing instead in a paper straw alternative for guests.

The almost 50-year-old hospitality company has closely monitored the worldwide movement to cut down or ban use of plastic straws in restaurants, because of their slow break down in landfills and threats to wildlife and the environment.

The Common Man’s Chief Operating Officer Sean Brown said their restaurants moved to an on-demand distribution of straws in 2018, giving plastic straws only when guests requested them, but in alignment with some of the company’s other environmental initiatives, and to meet guest needs, members of the operations team investigated other eco-friendly options.

In partnership with vendor Central Paper Products Co., Inc. in Manchester, The Common Man found a good fit with Hoffmaster® paper straws that are made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper, are certified Cedar Grove® compostable, non-toxic, chemical-free, BPA-free, uncoated, and FDA food grade-compliant. These paper straws have replaced all regular beverage and smaller cocktail straws at the 15 Common Man-owned restaurants across New Hampshire, as well as The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center in Plymouth. The Common Man’s sister company at the Hooksett Welcome Centers is exploring options.

Brown said The Common Man’s move to paper straws actually increases paper goods costs for the company by about $24,000 annually, but the benefit to the environment and convenience for guests will be the return for that investment. “We’re focused on doing the right thing on many levels,” said Brown. “Some guests need straws due to dental issues or sensitivity to cold, others just prefer to use a straw with their beverage. This provides an eco-friendly way to meet those needs and preferences.”

Founded in 1971, the Common Man family in New Hampshire is made up of 15 restaurants, two Inns, a Spa and Salon, Company Store, The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center and the new The Barn on the Pemi wedding and event center. Common Man locations include Common Man restaurants in Lincoln, Ashland, Concord, Claremont, Merrimack and Windham; Common Man Inn & Spa, Foster’s Boiler Room, Italian Farmhouse, The Barn on the Pemi, and The Flying Monkey in Plymouth; Common Man Inn & Restaurant in Claremont; Lakehouse Grille, Camp, Lago and Town Docks in Meredith; Route 104 Diner in New Hampton; Tilt’n Diner in Tilton; Airport Diner in Manchester; and the Common Man Company Store in Ashland. For more information about The Common Man, visit thecman.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecmannh and find them on Twitter and Instagram @thecmannh.