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It all started when the Queen agreed to work alongside fellow 91-year-old Sir David Attenborough on a conservation documentary dealing with wildlife in the Commonwealth.

She became personally interested in the damage to oceans caused by dumped plastic.

One thing led to another, and the Queen has now declared war on plastic, banning straws and bottles from the Royal estates.

Buckingham Palace has outlined new waste plans, which will include gradually phasing out plastic straws and bottles in public cafes and banning them altogether in staff dining rooms.

Internal caterers at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh will now only be allowed to use china plates and glasses, or recyclable paper cups.

Takeaway food items in the Royal Collection cafes must also now be made of compostable or biodegradable packaging.

As well as the Queen’s interest, The Prince of Wales also regularly speaks about the damage to the oceans caused by dumped plastic and recently warned that the world was facing an "escalating ecological and human disaster" from refuse in the seas.

Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing a 10-year refurbishment program which will make the royal residence far more green, The Telegraph reported.

Food & Drink Business

The Brewers Association of Australia (BAA) has appointed Mick Gibb as its new chief executive officer, effective 28 September 2026, following Amanda Watson stepping down from the position in February.

Australian integrated agribusiness, GrainCorp, has completed the sale of GrainsConnect Canada (GCC) to Parrish & Heimbecker (P&H), recognising a loss of $16 million disclosed in its 1H26 results.

Food Taipei Mega Shows 2026 took place in Taiwan last week, bringing together global leaders from across the entire food industry supply chain to showcase ideas, products, and opportunities for the future food system. Food & Drink Business was in attendance to cover the latest products and innovation emerging from the region.