S.E.A. Aquarium partners Sengkang West constituency on ‘No Straw Day’ – S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island blog

Of the eight million tonnes of plastic trash that flow into the ocean every year, plastic drinking straws make up a significant part of that tonnage.

Beach cleanup 2017
2,341 pieces of plastic straws and stirrers were collected in about an hour at our beach cleanup in June 2017. It takes up to 200 years for a plastic straw to decompose.

This inconspicuous single-use plastic is also one of the most insidious marine pollutants. They are easily mistaken for food by marine animals, and can cause them grevious physical harm, as seen in this 2015 video of scientists removing a straw embedded in a sea turtle’s nose.

This is why plastic drinking straws have become a global environmental concern, with an increasing number of people reducing and eliminating their use of plastic drinking straws to help save the ocean.

Sengkang West constituency recently embarked on a ‘No Straw Day’ initiative in five schools in its constituency, and invited S.E.A. Aquarium to join them in their efforts.

The launch of No Straw Day @Sengkang West seeks to encourage individuals to be more conscientious towards the environment and to say “No” to single-use plastics, such as straws. This initiative is supported by National Environment Agency (NEA), S.E.A. Aquarium, and environmental group Plastic-Lite Singapore.

—–— Leow Hwee Fen, No Straw Day @Sengkang West Organising Chairperson

The S.E.A. Aquarium Conservation and Education Team set up an outreach booth in the schools to spread awareness of plastic marine litter, and how reducing straw usage can make a significant difference to the well-being of our ocean and its inhabitants.

The students, especially the younger ones, were very keen to learn more about the effects of plastic on marine life.
Even the teachers were amazed by how long it takes for plastic to decompose.
The National Environment Agency and environmental group Plastic-Lite Singapore are also supporting agencies of this initiative.
Students engaged in learning activities at the Plastic Lite booth.

Some schools made a pledge to reduce straw usage by designating a ‘No Straw Day’ every week while others are planning to do so.

Let’s all do our part to save the ocean. Say No to straws. However, if you do need a straw, instead of plastic ones, choose alternatives such as paper straws or metals straws.