HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Borrowing from the popular phrase, "each one teach one," we invite you to join us in a fun, all-ages, international Reach-Out initiative:
                                
                                  Each One Reach One. 

People have been asking us about ways they can help their own communities go Strawless. (Participants from 30+ countries and all 50 US states have signed on in the first few weeks since the project went "live"! Thanks to you!)

This is one simple way we can all work together to reduce the use of disposable straws in our communities:

Each person invites (at least) one restaurant to consider offering straws to customers instead of serving a straw with each drink automatically.

That's it, very simple, very easy and- very effective!

We have heard from some restaurant owners that they are concerned about changing the way they provide service because they are not sure these changes will be welcomed by their patrons, and they say they are much more likely to implement changes if they hear from customers that it's important to them that restaurants use fewer disposable straws.

So, let's tell them! 

Let's tell restaurant owners and managers that we prefer to be offered a straw insead of being served a drink with a straw already in it!

Don't know how to bring it up?

Here is a suggestion* of how to do this in 3 simple steps:

1) Order your drinks with "no straw, please."

2) While you are eating at the restaurant, notice how drinks are being served to tables around you. (example: Are they being served with straws already in them? Or, are straws being offered when drinks are brought to the table?)

3a) If you notice that drinks are being served with straws already in them, you can ask to speak to the owner/manager. You can say something along the lines of: "Hi, I noticed that each drink comes with a straw aleady in it. I am wondering if you would consider having your servers bring the drinks to the table and then offer the customer a straw?" You can also direct them to BeStrawFree.org where they can get more information (and connect with other restaurant owners who participate in the project.)

3b) If you see that the restaurant is already giving patrons the option of choosing whether or not to use a straw, that's great! You can still ask to speak to the owner/manager and say something like: "Hi, I noticed that your servers bring the drinks to the table then offer straws to the customers. That's great! We are trying to get more restaurant owners to follow your example. Would you consider listing your restaurant on the BeStrawFree.org web page for Particiapting Businesses? It's free - and it's a great way to get noticed by people who care about this issue!"

(*This is just a suggestion or general guideline for those who want to speak up but are stumped by how to begin. You are encouraged to find your own words and way that works best for you.) 

Each restaurant that participates is another restaurant saving thousands of throw-away straws per year, so reaching even ONE restaurant is a way of helping cut back on thousands of straws per year - Good Job!

There are benefits to owners who list their restaurant as a Participating Business.
It's Free to list their business on the BeStrawFree website, and these are just some of the advantages:
Restaurants-    
    • Gain increased visibility- for free! to a demographic that values the environement
    • Set an important example for other restaurants and businesses
    • Make a measurable difference to the environment and to their community

We'd love to hear from you - How is the Reach-Out going? Please write us about it along with any questions or comments you may have about Each One Reach One or about the Be Straw Free project - and thanks for your continued interest and participation! 

hello@bestrawfree.org