Plastic production is directly connected to climate change as 99% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels. U.S. shorelines are littered with millions of tons of single-use plastic. 91% of the plastic we use is not recycled and instead ends up in landfills or the ocean, killing millions of marine animals each year.

The solution is clear: we must cut down our reliance on single-use plastics.

Let’s start with plastic straws -- it is estimated that 1 billion plastic straws are used daily worldwide. Single-use plastic straws are not recycled. They are used for minutes and become instant plastic pollution.

Major U.S. cities, including Seattle and Washington, D.C., have limited single-use plastic straws. Corporations are also quickly gaining momentum - Starbucks, Ikea, and American Airlines are vowing to stop offering plastic straws. Outside of the U.S., major restaurant chains in Canada are joining the movement and both the UK and the European Union have their own plastic ban proposals in the works.

Let’s build on this momentum. Since environmental protections are stalling at the federal level, we need to tell our local elected officials that we are done with wasteful, single-use straws.

While certain individuals with disabilities do need straws, they don't need to be made from plastic. Tell your local leaders to ensure straws are made from alternative materials or provided only when asked for by a customer. When possible, we will connect you to local organizers working on a campaign near you.

Our message to our local officials:

I am ready to take the first step to reducing our country's massive plastic pollution issue. I am calling on my local official to ban single-use plastic straws and serve reusable or alternative material straws, only upon request.