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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

Leading wholesaler and distributor, Metcash, has awarded its top-performing supply partners of the past year at its 2026 Food Supplier of the Year Awards, with Asahi Beverages taking home the top award.

George Weston Foods (GWF) has acquired New Zealand bagel company, Abe's Bagels, as per capita bread consumption continues to fall across Australia, but demand for premium breads and bakery products grows.

Suntory Oceania has unveiled a new $13 million warehouse at its Auckland manufacturing site in Wiri, the latest step in the $3 billion multi-beverage partnership across the company’s Australian and New Zealand premium spirits and non-alcohol segments.