Calvin Harris joins forces with Hakkasan Group to ban plastic straws

Calvin Harris has convinced Hakkasan Group to phase out single-use plastic straws in its clubs and restaurants.
The hospitality company owns nightclubs and restaurants throughout the world including Las Vegas hotspots, OMNIA, Hakkasan and Wet Republic, where the One Kiss hitmaker has an exclusive residency. And after being persuaded by Harris, Hakkasan has vowed to eliminate all single-use plastic straws in the group’s clubs.
“My friend and tour photographer Conor McDonnell has been working closely with the World Wildlife Fund and has been sharing his first-hand experience of the damage plastic waste is doing to the environment,” the Feel So Close singer penned in a statement to Variety. “We want to reduce the impact of harmful plastics, so we decided to take action. I am grateful to Hakkasan Group for supporting us and helping us make a difference, I hope other venues in the city and around the world will do the same.”
The pair referenced recent research to back the campaign, citing that 500 million straws are used and discarded every day in the United States alone, adding to the 175 billion that find their way into waterways and oceans.
“In the fast-paced environment in which we operate, it’s easy to lose sight of wider social issues on which we have an impact,” added Hakkasan Group CEO Nick McCabe. “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Calvin on this initiative to reduce our consumption of single-use plastics.”
McCabe confirmed it will begin phasing out plastic straws immediately.
Calvin, real name Adam Richard Wiles, first signed his multi-million dollar residency deal with Hakkasan in 2013 but has since had his contract extended to 2020.
“To have an artist of his calibre performing regularly in our venues allows us to continue our mission of creating extraordinary experiences and providing our guests access to the world’s greatest artists,” McCabe said in January.