Save our Oceans, Do Not Use Straw!
Clean Water Action, in partnership with the Asbury Park Boardwalk, is launching a“ Straws by Request” program this Memorial Day Weekend. Participating establishments include Oyster Bar, The Anchor” s Bend, Beach Bar and Wonder Bar. Drinking straws will be given to customers only by request. Look for the signage and educational postcards located at both the entrance, tabletops and the bars. Clean Water Action and the Asbury Park Boardwalk encourage all customers to participate.
“ Asbury Park Boardwalk and its participating restaurants have chosen to be part of the solution to marine debris, local litter, and storm water pollution,” stated Jenny Vickers Chyb, Communications Manager, Clean Water Action.“ Through this program, we can help prevent plastic waste on our beaches and get everyone to think twice about whether they need a straw to enjoy their cool drink at the Jersey Shore. We hope Rethink DisposableTM will be contagious, not just in Asbury Park, but in all Jersey Shore towns.”
This initiative is part of Clean Water Action’ s larger national Rethink Disposable TM program.
Clean Water Action has a proven successful track record working with restaurants and institutions to voluntarily reduce waste caused by singleuse disposables( SUDs), such as plastic straws, cutlery, plates, water bottles and foam take out containers. In doing so, they have reduced their environmental footprint and cost of waste disposal and supply purchases, while increasing customer satisfaction and demand for greenerconscious restaurants.
The U. S. consumes 500 million straws a day, an amount that could circle the planet more than two-and-a-half times. Straws are made from petroleum, a toxic and polluting non-renewable resource, and are one of the top ten marine debris items found on our beaches. There will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. At least 690 wildlife species have encountered marine debris.
The Rethink Disposable TM program in New Jersey is funded by an agreement awarded by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency( EPA) to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
8 Water Leaders • June 2017