Reducing pollution that sucks
Visitors to the Great Barrier Reef are being urged to “sip, not suck” their drinks in a new campaign aimed at reducing plastic pollution entering the marine park.
James Cook University graduate and marine biologist Nicole Nash (above) is trying to get every company that takes tourists out on to the Reef to commit to no longer using straws in drinks served on-board vessels, unless they are made from recyclable material.
The Last Straw Australia campaign wants businesses to reduce company costs by not buying straws, and to limit waste on-board.
VISITORS to the Great Barrier Reef are being urged to “sip, not suck” their drinks in a new campaign aimed at reducing plastic pollution entering the marine park.
James Cook University graduate and marine biologist Nicole Nash is trying to get every company that takes tourists out on to the Reef to commit to no longer using straws in drinks served onboard vessels, unless they are made from recyclable material.
The Last Straw Australia campaign, which is being run in conjunction with the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, wants businesses to reduce company costs by not buying straws, and to limit waste on-board.
It is estimated that Austra- lians use 10 million straws each day. Some escape into the environment, making their way into the ocean.
Ms Nash, who also works for a reef charter company, said many reef animals such as sea turtles ingested marine debris, including plastic straws. Businesses are being urged to pledge to reduce plastic straw waste by signing up at www.laststraw.com.au