I am sad to share that I'm not doing so hot at this pledge. After restaurants like Bleu Duck, McDonalds, the Loop, and Five West eliminated plastic straw use, I thought, I can do that too! How hard can it be? Well, it's a lot harder than I ever imagined. Why?

Unless I stay on top of my game when asking for a drink, 99% of the bars and restaurants in this area will send the drink out with straws. In some cases, they've sent them out with TWO straws. It doesn't even matter what I order. Last night, I ordered a bottled drink, and they brought it out with a glass of ice AND a straw! *face palm* At that point, it's too late. They aren't going to take them back. If they do, they just throw them away.

I've been causing some stir (pun intended) with my friends though, which I'm very proud of! They've been giving me crap about how "environmentally savvy" I've been, BUT I guarantee that they think about it now every single time they get a plastic straw.

I know I can't change the world on my own, and I'm sure plenty of people think I'm crazy. How could MY plastic straw get from Minnesota to the ocean? Does it REALLY matter? At the rate that we are at, if we continue, by 2050 plastic will outweigh the fish. That's seriously disturbing to me. I challenge you to take the pledge, or just be mindful in general. When you start thinking about it, you'll see just how often we use or are given plastic straws. Start giving a sip! ;)

 

More From 106.9 KROC-FM