Celebrated on the fourth Friday in February, Skip the Straw day is a yearly campaign that was conceived in the minds of a group of middle school students from Whitehall, Michigan called The Coral Keepers. According to nationaldaycalendar. com, the campaign was founded in 2017 with the help of their Advisor Susan Tate. The students desired to encourage Americans to give up the plastic straw habit and help spread awareness about the damage caused by disposable plastics.

Plastics don’t biodegrade. They break down into smaller and finer, microscopic pieces. When plastics break down, they produce bisphenol A (BPA) which interferes with reproductive systems in marine life. It also produces styrene monomer which is a suspected carcinogen. According to the National Park Service, Americans use 500 million drinking straws daily! So, on National Skip the Straw Day that’s potentially 500 million fewer straws that don’t end up in landfills or the ocean.

How to Observe Skip the Straw Day For most of us, the easiest way is to pick up the glass and tip it back as our parents taught us to do when we were four or five. It may take some practice and maybe both hands.

There are other fun, eco-friendly, healthy options for straws, too. Try these:

• Bamboo straws are renewable, reusable, and biodegradable.

• Paper straws, while still disposable, are biodegradable and from a renewable source.

• Glass straws are coming in durable, colorful designs fit for a variety of beverages.

• Stainless steel straws are an option for those of us who like our cold drinks really cold!

Another way to observe is to volunteer to help clean up your local parks, or neighborhoods. Take note of how many straws are included in all the litter.

Plan ahead. Do you frequent fast-food restaurants or get beverages to go? You will often receive the straw before you have the chance to say no. Be prepared when you order to request your drink without a straw.

Share your solutions and use #SkipTheStraw-Day on social media.