Ex-Strawdinary Initiative
"Do I really need a straw?"
Cafes and restaurants are increasingly becoming aware of environmental issues and making changes to be part of the solution. The first priority for Plastic Free Bronte is to tackle one of the easiest items we can all do without: The Plastic Straw!your own text and edit me. It's easy.
So here's the thing about straws...
Plastic straws are one of the top polluters on our beaches
Plastic straws are too small to be recycled
Oil based production and a short life cycle = a single serving of pollution
Plastic straws pose a threat to our marine life
The thing is, we really don’t need straws - we can sip, not suck
Our idea is simple
Plastic Free Bronte would like every cafe on Bronte Beach (Bronte Surf Club Kiosk are already on board with us) to stop offering plastic straws to customers.
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If every cafe decides to switch to paper straws (but only for customers who request a straw) we can really make a difference and pave the way in our neighbourhood for others to follow.
We are starting each cafe off by gifting you a box of paper straws. The straws we have chosen are Aardvark paper straws, made in the USA from renewable resources, biodegradable and 100% compostable.
Some suggestions for businesses who make the change
Do away with all plastic straws and switch over to recyclable paper straws.
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Keep your paper straws behind your counter and only offer straws on request for sit down customers.
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Don’t offer straws for take-away customers. Briefly explain the direct link to polluting our beach.
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You will find that once you explain the direct link with single-use straws to our ocean environment then 99% of people will understand.
Behavioural changes for people can take time. So many of us are conditioned into thinking we need a straw with our drinks. But once the question has been asked “Do I really need a straw?” people WILL start to think about saying no to straws!
Our goals
Plastic Free Bronte has decided to start off with straws and truly hope that all the cafes along Bronte Beach will form an alliance on this one issue.
Tamarama cafe has not been offering plastic straws for years now because owner Alan Lewis believes that the straws are likely to end up on the sand or in the ocean.
We are very excited because Bronte Surf Club Kiosk has agreed to take on the Ex-Strawdinary Initiative.
