WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Plastic straws are only used for a short period of time, yet they are created from a material that is meant to last forever. They are the epitome of a throw-away lifestyle – and can have deadly impacts on wildlife. Plastic straws often make their way into waterways and, unfortunately, sometimes into the noses of sea turtles and the stomachs of seabirds. Additionally, plastic straws are not recyclable. According to the 2024 International Coastal Cleanup Report, straws are the eighth most common item found in beach clean-ups in the US, though their number is dropping globally. This is hopefully an indication that bans and alternatives are working!
HOW TO DO IT
- Don’t offer plastic straws. Make sure you communicate this goal to any event partners.
- Provide straws made from materials other than plastic (beware of bioplastic!). We’ve seen some unique solutions including metal, paper, hay – even pasta!
- Register your event and download the Clean Regattas Toolkit for more information!
If you would like to share how you’ve achieved this Best Practice, please share your solution below. If you’re looking for help on this topic, you can ask your question to our community of Clean Regatta Organizers.
REGISTER NOWOne response to “2. Eliminate Plastic Straws”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
We do not require straws at our event.