The Last Plastic Straw initiative seeks to activate citizens through a grassroots campaign to encourage individuals to push for change in restaurant protocol and practices in their local communities around the world.
THE LAST PLASTIC STRAW
- Over 500,000,000 plastic straws are used each day in the United States.
- In only the past 20 years, people have come to expect plastic straws in every drink, in an example of extreme waste being generated for minimal convenience.
- These short-lived tools are usually dropped into a garbage can with no further thought, instantly becoming a source of plastic pollution.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Stage 1: Go Plastic Straw Free
- Make a personal commitment to say “no” to plastic straws.
- Whenever ordering a drink, politely request “no straw, please.”
- Encourage your friends and family to take the pledge too!
- Use your own paper, glass, bamboo, or stainless-steel straw instead, and start a conversation.
- ACTION: Take the “No Plastic Straw Pledge”.
Stage 2: Influence Businesses to Offer Straws Upon Request
- Reach out to some local eateries in your neighborhood or town and ask them to change their protocol to only serve straws upon request.
- ACTION: Print and leave these “Please Serve Straws Upon Request” cards with your bill!
Stage 3: Influence Businesses to Offer Non-Plastic Straw Options
- Encourage those eateries to make a change to non-plastic straw options.
- Options include paper, glass, or stainless steel – if diners do request a straw.
- ACTION: Have these businesses sign the “The Last Plastic Straw Business Pledge”.
Stage 4: Watch the STRAWS Film
- Host a screening of the film to start a wave of change.
- ACTION: Show STRAWS the film in your community.
The Dolphin Quest Connection
- Dolphin Quest has encouraged all Crew Members to take the “No Plastic Straw Pledge”.
- Dolphin Quest has encouraged its partners to “serve straws upon request”.
- Dolphin Quest has encouraged its partners to offer “non-plastic straw options”.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
The mission of Sustainable Travel International is to protect and conserve our planet’s most vulnerable destinations by transforming tourism’s impact on nature and people. Their vision is a world where tourism actively contributes to environmental and community well-being.
The priorities of Sustainable Travel International are:
- Safeguard Nature:
Conserve the fragile ecosystems that tourism depends on. - Combat Climate Change:
Reduce tourism’s carbon footprint to address the sector’s contribution to climate change. - Empower Communities:
Celebrate local cultures and improve the livelihoods of host communities. - Tackle Waste & Pollution:
Lessen the amount of waste and pollution resulting from tourism.
Pledge to Travel Better
I am committed to PROTECTING and PRESERVING our planet’s most vulnerable destinations so that future generations of residents and visitors can continue to experience the splendor of these places for years to come. I pledge to “Travel Better” by making a conscious effort to:
- LIGHTEN the footprint of my travels.
- CONSERVE the wild places I explore.
- SUPPORT the people and communities I visit.
- RESPECT the wildlife I see.
- CELEBRATE cultures authentically and respectfully.
- ADVOCATE for sustainable tourism.
The Dolphin Quest Connection
- Dolphin Quest is a proud supporter of Sustainable Travel International and has taken the Pledge to Travel Better.
- Dolphin Quest encourages all Crew Members to take the Pledge to Travel Better and to voice their commitment to responsible tourism.