Stop sucking, Vernon

The Phoenix Steakhouse and Bar wants you to stop sucking. 

The Vernon restaurant is reducing its environmental footprint, and it is doing away with plastic straws.

Owner Megan Frankiw says their big goal was to reduce waste. 

"Strawless was the next step for us. We are just striving to be better and hopefully try and do our part as a business that loves Downtown Vernon."

The Phoenix decided to share their message with the Okanagan through social media as part of Earth Day (April 22) which they extended to Earth Week.

"As a restaurant, I know we make more of a footprint, so we are trying to be more conscious of things that we do."

They switched to all linen napkins, getting rid of one-use napkins. They recycle their fryer grease, fats and oils, use LED lights and also switched to low flow toilets. They do have metal reusable straws for people who may need a straw for medical reasons.

An environmental movement seems to be growing in Vernon. 

David Scarlatescu of the Sprouted Fig offered up a challenge of his own yesterday #StrawFreeVernon. He posted a video on his Facebook page challenging other restaurants to join him in going plastic-straw free.

"At the Fig we recently switched over to 100 per cent biodegradable compostable straws, and plastic is out," says Scarlatescu. "There has been a massive movement, we have been trying to get rid of plastic straws in the world and in the community, and this challenge is for the rest of the businesses in Vernon. I would like to make us straw free."