Whenever Southern Illinois University Edwardsville junior Sadie Spears eats out, she always requests that they hold the straw. That is because she carries a reusable one with her.
Spears, SIUE Student Government vice president-elect, was one of several students who conducted the #EndPlasticPollution ball drop game on Monday, April 16 as part of SIUE’s involvement in Earth Week.
Monday’s green activity gave participants the opportunity to learn about environmental problems posed by single use plastics, such as straws and disposable beverage bottles. Representatives from SIUE Student Government, Student Organization for Sustainability (SOS), and service learners from Michelle Cathorall’s, PhD, Environmental Health class, gave away reusable straws and bottles, and queried those who stopped by about sustainability matters, especially as it related to plastic.
“Enough plastic is thrown away each year to circle the earth how many times?” Spears asked one student that she handed a plastic straw. The answer is four.
“Reusable straws are catching on,” Spears said. “All of my friends use them.”
“The problem with plastic straws is that they can’t be recycled,” said Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Sustainability Action Group (SAG) steering committee chair. “Straws are too small for the machines to pick up, so they end up in the landfill and blow everywhere.”
“I try not to use straws at all,” Frey Spurlock said. “I’m now part of the #skipthestraw movement.”
Earth Week activities continue today. A schedule of events can be found here.
Photo:
SIUE Student Government Vice President Elect Sadie Spears (right) gives a reusable straw to Lindsey Wolfford, a senior majoring in music education.