Be Straw Free Campaign
“Here’s the thing: this planet’s not a place that kids will inherit at some point, far off in the distant future. We live here right now, and we share this planet already.”
- Milo Cress
Eco-Cycle is proud to be the new home for the Be Straw Free campaign, started by Milo Cress at age 9. Please join us in enjoying drinks--strawless!
Did you know that each day we use an estimated 500 million straws--enough disposable straws to fill over 46,400 large school buses per year? In February 2011, Milo (then 9 years old) founded this project, to work together with members of the straw industry, restaurants and other businesses, schools, environmental groups and concerned citizens to reduce the use and waste of disposable plastic straws.
Learn more and join our efforts!
> Take the Pledge To Be Straw Free!
> Milo's international speaking tour
> Show your support with a Be Straw Free t-shirt
> Read the proclamation from Colorado's governor to declare a statewide Straw Free Day!
Take Action
Join Milo in reducing waste by taking the pledge to go strawless or adopting an "Offer First" policy at your restaurant or business. Get the whole community involved and follow Milo's lead: one person can make a difference for our environment!
As a consumer
Take the pledge to go strawless
Commit to ask for your drinks "strawless" when eating out or on the go.
Keep reusable straws at home to offer house guests who prefer or need to use a straw.
Reach out to at least one restaurant or business in your community about the Be Straw Free campaign. Together we all make a difference.
As a business or restaurant
Adopt an Offer First policy, a best practice of the National Restaurant Association, by asking customers if they would like a straw with their drink, rather than providing one by default
Download the Be Straw Free table tent for display
Share your story with other businesses: Take the Be Straw Free campaign to your local business chamber, restaurant association, trade magazine or to your neighborhood shops and create a Straw-Free Zone in your community
As a community
Proclaim your community straw free by adopting an offer first policy. See the Be Straw Free proclamation from Burlington, Vermont. Read the proclamation from Colorado's governor to declare a statewide Straw Free Day.
Organizations & Clubs
Reach out to all the restaurants or businesses in your community about the Be Straw Free campaign through Each One, Reach One.
Hold a beach cleanup to collect litter and trash, and then all take the Be Straw Free pledge. Read about one of our beach cleanups.
Contact Milo and Be Straw Free
You can contact the campaign via email.
Special Thanks
This campaign would not be possible without the help and support of a number of businesses, organizations and fiscal sponsors:
Grrreat Escapes Dog Walking, Mill Valley, CA
Alaska Mudhead Pottery, Gridwood, AK
Glassdharma, reusable glass straws, Fort Bragg, CA
Beaver Village Condominiums, Winter Park, CO
Boulder Sports Recycler, Boulder, CO
Peter Donnelly, Singer/songwriter, Provincetown, MA
Mulledmind.etsy.com, Stainless Steel Straws, MA
Cool Gear International, Reusable Products, Plymouth, MA
Strawsome, Glass Straws, Detriot, MI
Shelburne Farms, Welcome Center, Shelburne, VT
The Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT
Vermont Clothing Company, St. Albans, VT
Hand Energy Services, Manchester Center, VT
Hand Motors Manchester Center, VT
Stannard Associates, Inc., Bob Stannard, Manchester, VT
Kristy Meyer
Deb and Andy Cress
Abigail Sessions
The Grille, Cape Neddick Country Club, ME
9th Street Grille, Mount Vernon, IL
Jerry Reusch
My Cup of Tea, Plattsville, NY
