500 million. It’s not the amount that the latest Palo Alto start-up is worth, but rather the number of plastic straws that Americans use every single day. That’s enough straws to fill 125 school buses each day, and over 46,000 school buses a year. And where do these straws go after they are used once and thrown away?
Most end up in the ocean, where are often mistaken for food by fish and marine animals. Straws are one of the contibutors to the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” a swath of indestructible plastic waste the size of Texas that is swirling around the ocean and growing every day.
Girl Scouts Urge Palo Alto to Stop Using Straws
But some determined girls from local Girl Scout Troop 60016 are on mission to convince Palo Alto that’s time to give up single-use plastic straws. Through their “Last Straw” campaign, the troop has partnered with the City of Palo Alto to encourage local restaurants to stop handing out plastic straws or to switch to using paper straws instead for the entire month of May.
The idea began when the girls started brainstorming a project they could do to earn their Girl Scout “Bronze Award,” which requires spending at least 20 hours on something that will make a lasting impact in the community.
“I saw a story on social media about how the city of Seattle banned plastic straws to help clean up the ocean and I thought we should do it here,” said troop member Maddy.
Love for Ocean and Wildlife Fuel Enthusiasm
The idea of helping the ocean was popular with the girls as they all share a passion for marine animals and the sea. “Beach is a big word in our family because my Mom grew up near the ocean and we all love spending time there,” explained Jillian. Her friend Kali said, “I have a stuffed sea otter named Oscar, and it’s terrible that sea otters are in danger due to plastic in the ocean.”
Another girl especially appreciated the ocean as she did not get to see it until she was seven years old. “We lived in Canada when I was little,” said Gabby, “and when I first saw the ocean, I thought it was just amazing. All this plastic is polluting the ocean and I want to protect it.”
Joining Forces with Watershed Protection
The girls quickly voted in favor of Maddy’s idea and brainstormed ways that the could connect with local partners to spread the word. They presented their idea to the Palo Alto City Council on April 21st, and teamed up with the City’s watershed protection program. Their public service announcement (filmed at the Mid Peninsula Media Center), is also helping let people know about the Last Straw campaign.
Asking Restaurants to Stop Giving Out Plastic Straws
The goal is simple: For the month of May, ask local restaurants to stop using plastic straws or register to take the Girl Scout pledge to provide straws only by request. Participating restaurants receive an educational poster and table tents, both created by the girls with help from the City of Palo Alto.
paper straws are available at a discount for participating restaurants
Restaurants can get a 50% discount for buying Aardvark paper straws using the code STRAWLESSOCEAN or apply for a grant for $300 to stop using plastic straws altogether through the City’s ReThink Disposable program.
20 Restaurants Already On Board
So far about 20 restaurants have signed up for the Last Straw campaign, including all nine locations of the Counter, and the momentum is growing.
The campaign has also gained a number of sponsors, including Audi Palo Alto, which is sponsoring a float for the girls in the upcoming May Fete Parade on May 5th, and they’ve recently finished filming another video with help from sponsor Rebel Sun to help fuel their social media efforts.
But What About Boba?
There’s only one category of straw use that the girls have not figured out how to tackle: the now ubiquitous ‘boba‘ tea chains popping up all over Palo Alto. “We love boba but we don’t know how to find a substitute for the special straws they use,” said Jillian. (If you’ve got a suggestion for how to reduce straws in boba, let the troop know at karen@mightyfee.com).
Palo Alto Is Just the Beginning for Straw Awareness
“The sense of purpose that the Last Straw campaign has given the girls is simply amazing,” said troop leader Karen Fitzpatrick. “The girls have put in over 50 hours of work on this project and they are still going strong. We hope Palo Alto is just the beginning of our effort reduce plastic straw use at home and in restaurants.”
Gabby and Salma with the table tops created by the girls for the Last Straw campaign
Every Straw Used Stays in the Ocean Forever…
“Everyone I know uses straws and they don’t think about how every straw they throw out stays in the ocean forever,” said troop member Lia. “Now I want people to understand why it’s time to stop using plastic straws or switch to biodegradable versions like paper or even hay.”
How to learn more and get involved
- Check out the Last Straw Campaign webpage
- Watch the inspiring video with Troop 60016 about the impact of straws on the ocean
- Contact Karen Fitzpatrick to support the campaign at karen@mightyfee.com
- The next time you go out to eat or order food in Palo Alto, ask for no straw. And bring your own reusable straw for boba!
All photos by Palo Alto Pulse
