There are many organizations now promoting both reduced plastic use and, specifically, alternatives to plastic straws. Here are some that might be helpful to you (thanks to The Last Plastic Straw for the links:)
Save Our
Save Our Shores is a non-profit marine conservation organization in Santa Cruz, California. Caring for the marine environment through ocean awareness, advocacy, and citizen action.
Plastic Pollution Coalition
The Last Plastic Straw is a proud member of Plastic Pollution Coalition!
The Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance of individuals, organizations and businesses working together to stop plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals and the environment. With its work, Plastic Pollution seeks to put plastic pollution at the forefront of global social, environmental and political discourse.
5 Gyres
5 Gyres mission is to conduct research and communicate about the global impact of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and employ strategies to eliminate the accumulation of plastic pollution in the 5 subtropical gyres.
Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy works to keep the ocean healthy, to keep us healthy.
Their goal is to bring people together to find solutions for our water planet. By educating and empowering people to defend not only the ocean and its wildlife, but also the millions who earn their living from the ocean. Make a pledge to Skip the Straw, and sign up for the annual International Coastal Clean Up Day, just two of their many programs in which you can participate and make a difference.
City of Santa Cruz Waste Reduction Program
The City of Santa Cruz’s Waste Reduction Program provides information on how to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
My Plastic Free Life
My Plastic Free Life is a site that has evolved from a simple blog (formerly known as “Fake Plastic Fish”) to a comprehensive resource on plastic-free living. Together, we can change the world.
Be Straw Free
Be Straw Free is a campaign started in 2011 by 9 year-old Milo Cress. An organization that urges restaurants to use fewer plastic straws. With “Offer First policy” for restaurants, and for individuals the “Each One Reach One” approach. Now 12 years old, Milo has toured the world speaking to school groups, politicians, and restaurant owners.
Bag It
Bag It is the award-winning movie that will educate you about the enormity of our plastic waste problem and inspire you to take action. Check their site out to learn more about how you can be the difference.
Be Plastic Free
Be Plastic Free mission is to inspire people to Be. The Change. by creating the world they want to live in. We model a peaceful yet assertive approach to effecting change in our own community. A mother and son team creating change in their community by getting rid of plastic straws in Treasure Island, FL.
Blue Mind
Blue Mind connects the dots between science, art, economics, and health to describe the many ways being near, in, on or under water can make our lives better.
Manhattan Beach
Check out Manhattan Beach’s amendment to their polystyrene ban that now includes plastic straws and lids! A model for other communities to follow suit.
Mission Blue
Mission Blue is a global initiative of the Sylvia Earle Alliance. Currently, the Mission Blue community includes 50+ respected ocean conservation groups and like-minded organizations — from large multinational companies down to individual scientific teams doing important research.
Responsible Runners
Responsible Runners in Australia is a group of running enthusiasts that promote and organize beach clean up efforts in Australia. Here they are at Bondi Beach with their latest haul. Check out their inspirational facebook page!
Better yet, start your own Responsible Runners (or walkers) group in your area and inspire your friends to join the movement!
Story of Stuff Project
Story of Stuff Project is changing the way we make, use, and throw away Stuff so that we have a happier and healthier planet. A Community of more than a million changemakers worldwide, working to build a more healthy and just planet. Watch and share their movies, participate in study programs and join their campaigns.
Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider Foundation’s mission is the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Check out SF Surfrider’s Rise Above Plastics straw campaign Plastic Straws Suck.
TakeOutWithOut (TOWO)
TakeOutWithout is a campaign to reduce restaurant waste. “We can’t aim for perfection, but we can aim for improvement by saying NO to unnecessary packaging and even toting our own reusables- Together we will be raising awareness to the outrageous amount of unnecessary waste we create everyday as well as reducing it.”
There Is No Away
There Is No Away A visually stunning site, full of great observations drawing the connection between our plastic habits and the global plastic pollution crisis. A great blog and site with many links to alternatives to single use plastic for home, school, work, celebrations and babies! Check out the successful Straws Upon Request Project!
1 : 1 Movement
1 to 1 Movement started with a simple idea – we can all be part of the solution. Focusing on raising awareness about sustainability, the issues surrounding sustainability, and how to continue the conversation on conservation. Their approach is from the bottom up, top down. Check out their Last Straw campaign!
Guide to Marine Plastic Pollution
Wow, this guide has a link to everything you’d ever want to know about plastic pollution.
Special thanks to . . .
Emily Zimri for sending in an article about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch! Emily learned about environmentalism and plastic pollution at summer camp and has been on the road to plastic-free activism ever since! Her mom, Hannah, wrote to MV Strawless September to share this helpful and informative article Emily found and we’re happy to include it here. Thanks, Emily!
Clean Our Oceans: The Impact of the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch
And to Stacy from the Flying Juniors Sailing club for this great article and list of resources about marine biodiversity and climate change. Thanks, Stacy!