Straw-loving snowflakes: Read no further, this one's not for you (or maybe it is).
Four month after the voluntary campaign saw local businesses and residents declare that they would curb the use of plastic straws, No Straws St. Pete has earned another ally in the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, which recently announced its support for the campaign.
“Our Public Policy Council, as well as our Board of Governors, unanimously supported this voluntary campaign. It is encouraging to see so many businesses adopt these policies to reduce single-use plastic consumption in our city without City Hall forcing them to do so,” Chamber President and CEO Chris Steinocher said in a press release.
“This proves voluntary programs can be successful and that city ordinances banning plastics are not necessary. Our business community looks forward to working with City Hall to develop additional sustainable programs for our citizens to voluntarily participate in.”
DAMN, GINA
St. Pete City Councilwoman Gina Driscoll talks #nostrawsstpete
Over 100 local establishments have agreed to use compostable or reusable straws, only provide a plastic straw when requested, or get rid of straws entirely since April when City Council Member Gina Driscoll — along with Bank OZK of the Ozarks and ilovetheburg.com — announced the campaign. The chamber is further encouraging all of its members to participate by filling out a short form at nostrawsstpete.com where signage and consumer material are available.
"Americans are said to use nearly 500 million plastic straws a day while our partners are already seeing a reduction in use as high as 90 percent," Brian Bailey, founder and publisher of I Love the Burg, added in the release.
"With the Chamber's endorsement, we are showing that a business community can voluntarily drive progress while creating a greater discussion about single use plastics, in general."
And if you just can't go straw-free, then here are seven other ways to protect Tampa Bay.
This article appears in Sep 20-27, 2018.