Glass straws. Genius. Photo: BeOrganic
The negative impact plastic is having on our oceans has been widely documented. Billions of pounds of plastic can be found on our beaches and in the oceans and 80 percent of the plastic pollution enters the ocean from the land. In the Los Angeles area alone, 10 metric tons of plastic fragments—like grocery bags, straws and bottles—are carried into the Pacific Ocean every day.
For the surfing community, and the world, the war on plastic is an ongoing battle, and it’s one that we’re losing. We are drowning in plastic and sustainable efforts need to be implemented and supported so that future generations can learn to love and respect the ocean and all its inhabitants.
On my recent trip to Bali I was wowed by the waves, the crystal blue water, and radiant coral. But I crushed by the pollution that lined the beaches. After an epic session at Shipwrecks on Nusa Lembongan, I stumbled into a café and ordered a mango smoothie that was served with a glass straw. I admired the straw, considering it nothing more than a sweet café accessory to accompany the sweet refreshing beverage. After devouring my breakfast, and walked to the counter to pay and ask the waitress about the straw. I soon learned that it wasn’t just a flashy accessory, it was a powerful movement.
BeOrganic gives businesses and the community in Bali an opportunity to eliminate their plastic output, helping protect the environment by implementing reusable, renewable, eco-friendly products such as straws, utensils and bags. The average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastic per year and 50 percent of the plastic we use, we use just once. BeOrganic has discovered the root cause to our global plastic epidemic and with the support of the surfing community, this Balinese movement can become a global one.
Eliminating plastic bags in Southern California was the first step (and a good one). What about straws? Enough plastic straws are produced annually to fill over 46 thousand full sized buses.What about plastic take-away containers? Plastic utensils? The single-use plastic industry is rapidly killing our oceans.
We can repair the past by remodeling for the future. By simply suggesting to your local café or favorite restaurant to introduce glass straws, your making a huge difference in the fight against plastic.
“We must convince each generation that they are transient passengers on this planet earth. It does not belong to them. They are not free to doom generations yet unborn. They are not at liberty to erase humanity’s past nor dim its future.”
– Bernard Lown, Peace, A Dream Unfolding
