Let’s face it, we interact with a lot of plastic in this disposable society in which we live. I am talking about the products manufactured with the material as well as their packaging…not the people (ha ha ha).

Sometimes weaning yourself away from plastic is just a matter of being aware of your habits. For example, I see eco-minded folks go to a restaurant and get a straw with their beverage. Using a straw that comes with a drink has become as automatic as the process of pairing certain drinks with them. I have caught myself going through the automatic process a few times recently and it takes a bit of time to break it. I catch myself and say —arg! As if, I forgot about my journey to being more “green”.

The biggest reason to skip the straw: millions end up in landfills each year and they can’t be recycled. In addition, manufacturers wrap most straws in paper. Those are great reasons to preserve resources. So suck it up and skip the straw. I believe in you!

A number of companies offer alternatives to plastic straws and are surprisingly cost effective. The company Aardvark® Straws has helped take the paper straw back into the mainstream consciousness. You can even compost or recycle these chlorine free paper straws that come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. It does not end there. A quick internet search will provide you with several companies that specialize in straws made from bamboo and glass if you heart desires.