We have had a few questions about our #StopSuckingSXM campaign, so here is the ‘Say No to Straws FAQ’!
Why Straws?
We don’t really need them. They are used for just minutes, and then discarded where they take up to 200 years to break down.
Are Straws Really So Bad?
Yes – they resemble seaweed and seagrass when in the ocean, and get ingested by all kinds of wildlife. The now famous video of a straw stuck up a turtle’s nose is just the beginning. Ocean fish, mammals, and birds are frequently found with plastic in their stomach contents. Sometimes straws are mistaken for food, other times it gets accidentally ingested with the rest of the meal.
Why Not All Plastic?
Well, now that you mention it, yes, we would like you to think about ALL the plastic you use. Only a small percentage of plastic is actually recycled, the rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the ocean. Plastic is expected to outnumber fish in the ocean by 2050!
But What About My Piña colada?
Relax, we don’t want to take your Piña colada’s from you. If the restaurant serves it in a glass (which it really should!) they could just as easily add a spoon, or a reusable stainless steel * or glass * straw.
What Other Alternatives Are There?
Paper straws * are single use, disposable, and biodegradable. Ideally we would still like to see them kept out of the landfill too, so compost them in your home compost pile!
What About Bioplastic? (PLA/PHA)
Bioplastics are a good start. Bioplastics are less toxic than their fossil-fuel dependent counterparts, and switching from traditional plastic to PLA could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%.
The issue lies in the definitions of ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’. Many products that claim to be compostable require big commercial operations that reach high operating temperatures. We don’t have any such facility in SXM. In a landfill, PLA can last 100 to 1,000 years.
In the water, PLA aslo struggles. CalRecycle has an interesting report studying the effects of the marine environment on PLA bottles. After 144 days the bottle shows no signs of breaking down. Finally, after 365 days, it has broken down into half a dozen larger pieces – still clearly recognizable.
So How Do I Say No To Straws?
The first step is very simple; just say “no straw please” when ordering. Encourage your kids, family, and friends to join in! Nothing gets a conversation flowing better than a five year old who can say “No straw please, I want to help the environment!”.
And Then What?
We hope, that after hearing “no straw please” enough times, business will begin to take note. Let them know about the #StopSuckingSXM movement. Share your straw free drinks with #StopSuckingSXM until it becomes the new normal! SXM is strong; SXM is adaptable!
My Business Wants to Get Involved!
Yay! The first step is only serve straws on request. The second step is replacing plastic straws with reusable or biodegradable options. Get creative and have fun!
Another idea is to put a ‘penalty’ on straws and pass that on to one of our fantastic foundations like EPIC or St Maarten Nature Foundation.
Contact us if you want any signs to put up explaining why!
We would also love to have a page dedicated to straw friendly establishments in St Maarten / St Martin so let us know when you go straw free.
But Don’t Those Options Cost More?
Yes, good quality paper straws do cost more. However, our tourists visit our shores for our beautiful beaches. Without our natural environment, we can’t remain competitive in the tourism sector.
Sustainable tourism is also a growing industry; 60% of leisure travelers have taken at least one sustainable trip in the last three years. Furthermore, sustainable travelers spend, on average, 51% more per trip. These are the kinds of tourists St Maarten / Sint Martin should be seeking to attract.
Implementing a ‘straws on demand only’ policy helps to reduce the demand for straws, offsetting your costs.
Anything Else?
Follow Green SXM on facebook for more information, and to help the movement grow! Together we can make a difference!
* Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. We may be compensated (at no cost to you) should you decide to buy online. However, for our St Maarten / St Martin visitors we encourage you to shop local, and every effort has been made to provide a local source. Please let us know if you want to be included!
