National Skip the Straw Day 2023: Date, History, 5 ocean pollution facts

National Skip the Straw Day, which falls on February 24 this year, is celebrated without straws thanks to a group of young activists from Whitehall, Michigan. In light of the ongoing fight against global warming and plastic pollution, we will take the time during the holiday season to consider whether we truly require that whimsical plastic tube to enjoy our favourite beverages. We can drink more if we just go straight for the edge of the glass!

The background of National Skip the Straw Day

The Coral Keepers, a group of teenage activists, established National Skip the Straw Day on the fourth Friday of every February in 2017. In the midst of frequent and intense discussions about the state of the planet and the potentially fatal effects of plastic waste on marine life in the world’s largest oceans, these high school students from Whitehall, Michigan established the day to educate others about the numerous biodegradable alternatives to these small but potent cylindrical sippers.

In 1888, in Washington, D.C., Marvin Stone received a patent for the straw as we know it today. While sipping his afternoon mint julep through a grass straw, Stone became dissatisfied with the flavours of vegetation and whisky blending, so he decided to roll a piece of manila paper into a tube instead.

With the rise of plastic goods (and all things quick, microwaveable, and processed) in the 1960s, paper straws were replaced by their far less environmentally friendly cousin, plastic. It takes approximately 200 years for a plastic straw to decompose back into the earth, which means that every single straw ever created is still floating somewhere on the planet.

The Coral Keepers have requested that we all “Tip the Glass” rather than sip through a straw on this holiday, and if possible, to consider eliminating the beverage accessories entirely. In addition to emitting toxic byproducts when heated, these straws pose a physical hazard to marine life that may try to consume them or become lodged in their blowholes or air passages.

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5 ocean pollution facts that will make your waters murky

In reality, oil spills account for only 12% of ocean pollution, while roads, drains, and rivers contribute three times as much oil.

There are at least five known garbage patches where ocean currents have compacted a large amount of waste into a small area.

Underwater marine life is harmed and disturbed by the noise produced by shipping and military operations.

While efforts are currently being made to remove floating plastics from the ocean’s surface, a significant amount of trash sinks to the ocean floor, where it will likely never be recovered as efficiently.

Plastic waste is dumped into the ocean at a rate of 17.6 billion pounds per year; by 2050, it is expected to outnumber fish.

NATIONAL SKIP THE STRAW DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2021	February 26	Friday
2022	February 25	Friday
2023	February 24	Friday
2024	February 23	Friday
2025	February 28	Friday
2026	February 27	Friday