When I was working with the Green Team at my daughter’s elementary school, we proposed to get rid of all the straws in the lunchroom except for those kiddos that needed them due to special needs. It went over really well, and it did not seem to really bother the students at all.
It takes a big movement to make a difference with the plastic pollution problem we have. I am glad to see restaurant chains talking about getting rid of straws, and I am thrilled to see states taking a stand against plastic as well. I will be posting another video later of Canada announcing its plans to be part of the plastic solution.
It takes education at all levels, starting with the little preschoolers I teach up to the grandparents who have used straws all their life and do not see a need to change now. I just ordered some paper straws from Grove™ to see how my daughter likes them.
We went to Olive Garden™ the other night, and the waitress told us that she was to wait until we asked for straws instead of offering them to us. That is one way to go about it, I guess. The waitress did not like that method, as it looked like she forgot to do her job, but I understand it might save some straw usage. I am glad they are thinking about the straw problem at least.
As most trends tend to go, they start on the coast and get to the Midwest eventually. I am hopeful that the straw movement gets here soon! Until then, I will do what I can do- give up using and purchasing straws.