Let’s be honest: If you have a bar or multiple bars at your place of business, do you automatically give straws to patrons, knowing that they will drink more—and ultimately buy more—because they drink through a straw (instead of sipping away without one)? What about elsewhere in your foodservice establishment? Do you also automatically give straws to guests? What ultimately happens to those straws that are most likely made of plastic? I suspect the local landfill is their ultimate destination.
I had not thought about straw waste until I learned about the efforts of Milo Cress, an 11-year-old from Boulder, Colo. I spoke with Milo for an article for Green Lodging News recently and was very impressed by his passion, knowledge and energy. If I turn on the news one day and he is shaking hands with the president, I would not be surprised at all.
Milo told me that worldwide, 500 million straws a day end up in landfills. I never imagined that straws could have such an environmental impact.
It was two years ago when Milo had his “aha” moment about straws. While visiting restaurants with his family he noticed that restaurant servers were automatically providing straws to patrons. That was unacceptable to him. He quickly launched his Be Straw Free Campaign that asks restaurateurs to either eliminate straws altogether or at least implement an “offer first” policy.
Many Support Milo’s Work
As reported here on Green Lodging News, Milo’s efforts are gaining traction. The National Restaurant Assn. is an advocate of his “offer first” policy. The Colorado Restaurant Assn. has officially adopted “offer first” and George McKerrow Jr., co-founder and chief executive of casual-dining restaurant chain Ted’s Montana Grill, recently signed an “offer first” pledge that would require diners at his restaurants to ask for drinking straws instead of automatically being given one with their beverage orders.
Inspired by Milo, on Earth Day, April 22, Xanterra Parks & Resorts launched its “Choose to be Straw Free” program. The campaign will roll out initially at Zion Lodge in Zion National Park, Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz., Grand Canyon South Rim inside Grand Canyon National Park, The Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz. and Painted Desert Oasis in Petrified Forest National Park.
Building on an existing straw-free sustainability initiative at Xanterra’s lodges, restaurants and attractions in Yellowstone National Park, the following properties will also go straw free: Windstar Cruises, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain National Parks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges.
Many Publicity, Travel Opportunities
Milo has met or will be meeting with high-ranking political and industry leaders about his campaign and has been featured in both national and local news segments. He has already traveled to Australia and will travel internationally to speak at multiple locations later this year. You go Milo!
When chatting with Milo’s mom, she made a good point. If it had been you or me—an adult—who had stood up against straw practices, few probably would have listened. But an 11-year-old? Now that is a different story.
Interestingly, Milo will soon launch a website called “Kids Create the Future” that will feature one-minute videos sent in that detail initiatives launched by kids helping to change the world for the better. A great idea.
Here’s hoping all of our kids grow up to be like Milo.
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Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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