Straws

Gr 5 Up—A quick history of the drinking straw dates back to the early civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, where straws were made of natural fibers. In the United States, wheat paper straws were thought to prevent the spread of disease. In the 1950s, disposable plastic straws were popularized by fast-food restaurants and mass produced. Interestingly, straws are almost completely unnecessary and create eight million metric tons of waste per year. Narrated by actor and activist Tim Robbins, this film focuses on Jackie Nunez's campaign, the Last Plastic Straw. A marine biologist, conservationists, and environmentalists all weigh in with information about the problem of plastic pollution, especially the disastrous effects on wildlife and the health of the oceans. Also featured are resort and restaurant managers who have had their own "last plastic straw" moments and are using paper and reusable steel alternatives in their businesses. A sea turtle researcher and a PhD candidate shot a video that went viral on social media, of a rescued sea turtle that had a plastic straw imbedded in its nostril. A young boy in Costa Rica viewed the video and started a no-straw campaign of his own. Viewers will be inspired and may even be moved to make different personal choices and discuss other ways to bring about change.