GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The City of Greensboro is asking restaurants and people to think about single use plastic straws this month.

  • In the first "No Straw November" they city is encouraging people to reduce the amount of waste they produce
  • "It's a not a policy. It's not a ban. It's just a campaign to provoke thought and to make people start thinking more about where their waste goes," says Laine Roberts of Waste Reduction and Recycling Educator
  • More information about "No Straw November" can be found here

In the first "No Straw November" they city is encouraging people to reduce the amount of waste they produce. Straws might seem like a small deal, but they can have a big impact.

"Every type of plastic that has ever been created still exists on the planet in some way, shape, or form. Plastic don't break down. They break up into smaller pieces," Laine Roberts said. She is a Waste Reduction and Recycling Educator and spearheaded the project.

She knows sometimes people need straws and says this project isn't to shame people. They just want people to think before automatically using a straw every time they get a drink.

"It's a not a policy. It's not a ban. It's just a campaign to provoke thought and to make people start thinking more about where their waste goes," Roberts said.

Mac's Speed Shop is one of the restaurants taking part this month. They only offer biodegradable straws if a customer asks.

The catering manager says they've seen a drop in straw use.

"People are not asking for straws as often as they were in the summer. I just think that everybody is really jumping on board and starting to get involved," Chrissy Davis said.

More information about "No Straw November" can be found here.

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