The Last Straw: New Uprising Against Plastic Straw Use in Restaurants and Bars

Your bartenders and baristas may have noticed an increase of customers asking for beverages without a straw or even berating them for using single-use plastic straws. If, like me, you were one of the 12 million people who watched and were traumatized by the still trending video of a sea turtle with a straw stuck in its nose, you understand why this mindfulness is on the rise.

Here are three things that you can do to help reduce single use plastic straws in your restaurant:

Stop Offering StrawsMiami voluntarily banned plastic straws and many other cities are talking about doing the same. This approach increases education, reduces waste, and reduces your inventory. But many customers like straws for the convenience – especially for their take-out beverages and cocktails – so what else can you do besides quitting straws cold turkey?

Straws Upon RequestThe National Park Service estimates that Americas use 500 million straws every day, but when asked if they wanted a straw, more than…