A local lobby group is welcoming a global drinks producer's announcement it's phasing out plastic straws.

International drinks producer Pernod Ricard is the world's second-largest alcohol and spirits producer and has announced it is banning plastic straws from its events worldwide.

Kiwis throw away half a billion single use plastic straws a year.

Many local bars and cafes are already on board.

Sustainable Coastlines co-founder Camden Howitt told Chris Lynch it's great news for our coastlines.

"These things make their way into the marine environment and they persist for a very, very long time and unfortunately they have huge impacts on marine life.

"Any move by businesses, by individuals, by policymakers makers that helps to reduce these plastics entering the marine evironment is great from our point of view.

Howitt says plastic straws is in the top ten of items picked up from our beaches.

LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMDEN HOWITT SPEAKS WITH CHRIS LYNCH