On February 26, be part of the change to a cleaner tomorrow and participate in National Skip the Straw Day.

Founded in 2017, by students of  Michigan’s Whitehall Middle School, this day is dedicated to spreading awareness of disposable plastics that are damaging the environment (National Skip the Straw Day). According to National Geographic, around 500 million straws are used every day in the United States alone (A brief history of how plastic straws took over the world). These millions of straws make their way into waterways, disturbing marine species that mistake them for food. Instead of degrading, they turns into smaller pieces presenting a threat of producing a chemical called bisphenol A, which can interfere with marine species reproductive systems.

From Our Last Straw organization, “Plastic straws are among the top 10 contributors to plastic marine debris across the globe” (Facts and Figures).

If you still want the experience of sipping a refreshing beverage through a straw, there are many affordable alternatives: bamboo, paper, glass, and stainless steel straws, to name a few. These reusable straws are easy to clean and pack into bags for a trip out.

Another way to participate in National Skip a Straw Day is by cleaning up any trash you see and just recognize how much plastic debris is around and may be impacting the environment. These practices don’t just have to be followed on February 26; by making these part of your daily rituals, you’ll be helping the Earth and the species that occupy it.