Straws No More
THE PROBLEM
Australians use about 10 million straws
every day, or 3.5 billion a year.
Most are used just once - for around 15-30 minutes, after which they are thrown away!
Plastic Straws are the 12th most common item reported by Clean Up volunteers.
They represent 7.5% of all reported plastics - with 7,304 reported from rubbish recorded last Clean Up Day. That figure has doubled over the last two years.
And they are everywhere - in our parks, picnic grounds, along streets, in and on our beaches.
CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU
Here are 5 things you can do starting today:
- You can choose NOT to take a straw
- Some people genuinely want or need a single use straw. If that's you, you can choose to replace plastic with paper
- If you are a regular straw user because you need a straw then look for a reusable option that works for you
- If you do take a straw please bin it
- And if you are a retailer, cafe owner, club or bar replace plastic with paper and try putting the straws behind the counter, encouraging people to ask you for a straw - you will be amazed by how few do so
GREAT INITIATIVES
Through the efforts of groups like Operation Straw, retailers across cities and town are choosing to take straws off their counters and/ or replace plastic straws.
McDonald's
has announced they will replace single use plastic straws by 2020.
And Coca Cola is ceasing their distribution of plastic straws and stirrers from mid 2019.
And Coca Cola is ceasing their distribution of plastic straws and stirrers from mid 2019.
Inspire your family and friends to make a change by sharing your pledge and tagging @CleanUpAustralia #CleanUpAustralia
Clean Up Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.