Skip the Straw Day 2024 (US): The strawless festivities observed on February 23, which is the fourth Friday in February, are the result of the efforts of a cohort of youthful activists based in Whitehall, Michigan. Given the ongoing efforts to combat plastic pollution and global warming, we will pause this holiday season to contemplate whether or not that whimsical plastic tube is truly necessary to appreciate our favorite beverages. We can drink more by simply reaching for the edge of the glass.
Skip the Straw Day History
A collective of adolescent advocates known as the Coral Keepers instituted Skip the Straw Day on the fourth Friday of February, commencing in 2017. To raise awareness about the numerous biodegradable alternatives to these diminutive yet powerful cylindrical sippers, these high school students from Whitehall, Michigan, decided to establish Plastic Waste Awareness Day amidst frequent and intense discussions about the state of the planet and the potentially fatal effects of plastic waste on organisms in the world’s largest oceans.
Marvin Stone obtained a patent for the straw in its current form in Washington, D.C., in 1888. Stone, dissatisfied with the flavor of vegetation blending with whiskey while savoring his afternoon mint julep through a straw made of grass, decided to roll a piece of manila paper into a tube for sipping his beverage.
In the 1960s, as plastic products proliferated (along with everything else that was processed, microwaveable, and quick-moving), paper straws were replaced by their considerably less environmentally friendly counterpart, plastic. Because one plastic straw requires around two centuries to decompose back into the earth, each straw that has been in circulation since its inception is still alive and well today.
During this holiday, the Coral Keepers have requested that all attendees “Tip the Glass” instead of sipping through a straw, and if at all possible, consider eliminating beverage accessories. These straws not only emit toxic residues when heated, but they also present a physical hazard to marine organisms that may attempt to consume them or become entangled in the blowholes or airways of fish.
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Skip the Straw Day 2024 (US) FAQs
Why do tortoises perish in straw?
Blockages in the digestive tracts of tortoises lead to starvation and eventual demise. Additionally, plastic expands, rendering tortoises more buoyant and vulnerable to predators.
The number of tortoises killed by plastic straws.
Approximately 100 million marine animals perish annually from ocean debris, according to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, and over fifty percent of all sea turtles have been observed to have consumed plastic.
What are the issues with plastic straws?
Plastic is not biodegradable; therefore, plastic straws decompose into particulates that are hazardous to humans, animals, and the environment at large.
Observe Skip the Straw Day.
Instead of using a straw, tilt the glass.
“In the name is the message.” The most virtuous and optimal method to observe this holiday is to politely request that the waitress or drive-thru attendant remove the straw from the beverage you have purchased. To achieve complete waste reduction, it is advisable to cleanse and recycle plastic and Styrofoam takeout containers, as well as use reusable flatware when feasible.
Advocate for the prohibition of plastic straws in your municipality.
Certain localities, including Seattle and Washington, have outright prohibited plastic straws. If you hold a fervent conviction regarding the cause, dedicate a half-hour to compose an email or even place a phone call to the appropriate political representatives from your computer. Additionally, you might have an active petition available for signature in your area.
Organize a garbage collection
Although the primary focus of this day is on straws, its fundamental purpose is to reduce hazardous pollution in our nation and around the world. To contribute to this virtuous endeavor, arrange a garbage collection with acquaintances and relatives in your vicinity. Bring along a large bag and comfortable walking shoes so that you may collect the trash from the pavements and streets of your city and deposit it in the proper receptacle.
SKIP THE STRAW DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | February 23 | Friday |
| 2025 | February 28 | Friday |
| 2026 | February 27 | Friday |
