 |
| Starting on Day 55, I have begun tallying the number of straws we find during our 20 minute clean ups. So far the two day tally is at 18. |
After doing our 4th 20 minute clean up back in September, it became clear to us that a lot of the litter... including the majority of straws we find at access 36 find their way to the beach from the restaurant's dining pier. I made the decision to contact the restaurant to make them aware of what we were finding AND to offer suggestions to the problem.
I shared my letter here.... and encouraged everyone to write a letter to a restaurant. NOW... I want to encourage you to participate in this GlassDharma restaurant letter writing initiative!! GlassDharma is motivated to make a difference and they are willing to put FREE glass straws where your lips are!
You read right... FREE glass straws!!
All you have to do is write a letter to a restaurant, suggesting ways they might reduce single use plastic straw trash and GlassDharma will send you a FREE glass straw!! YAY!!!
Ok... I'm super excited about this because I can't remember the last time I used a straw AND their straws are "kid-friendly"!! Of course, I will be writing some letters!! Some suggestions for how restaurants could reduce the use of single use straws are to: Ask customers if they want a straw, instead of automatically giving them one; Make the switch to paper or reusable straws; and to recommend the restaurant offer GlassDharma drinking straws as an upgrade to their menu. (<--- how cool would that be?!?)
OK... so are you ready?!? Here are the deets:
- Write and send a snail mail* letter to a restaurant -- (up to 5 different restaurants for up to 5 free straws!!) *NO emails
- Copy your letter, please include full contact information of the restaurant, into a comment on this blogpost :)
- Send an email to earthday@glassdharma.com with a copy of your letter, including contact info of the restaurant AND your personal contact info so that a free GlassDharma Glass Straw can be mailed to you. **Contact information for entrants and restaurants must include, name, mailing address and email address. Please note: Participants from the US and Canada are only eligible to participate in this contest.
For writing the letter... or hopefully letters!!...and including all of the required contact information, a GlassDharma Simple Elegance Glass Straw (SE9.5NA8) will be mailed to you directly from the GlassDharma manufacturing facility in Fort Bragg, CA!! Yes, each participant gets a free glass straw! One free straw per entry (multiple entries, up to 5, must include a different restaurant for each entry).
GlassDharma will award one Grand Prize Winner a $100.00 gift certificate coupon code. Entries received through 4/30/2011 and all straws will be shipped May 2- 4. The Grand prize drawing to be held on 5/4/2011.
OK... So are you ready to make a difference?!? I am... and I know just the 5 restaurants I'll be writing :)
Here's one:
Oceanic
Here's one:
Oceanic
703 S. Lumina Ave
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Dear Oceanic:
As a long-time customer, I not only appreciate your food but also the fact that you all use reusable dishes, real flatware, and glasses. I know that when we eat at Oceanic, we’ll have a waste-free meal, that is, as long as we ask for no straws. As a family that participates in regular beach clean ups, we have found that straws are one of the most littered items on our beach (and worldwide). Knowing that so many straws are littered, our family of five makes a conscious effort to not use plastic straws.
In honor of Earth Month, I am writing to ask you to change your plastic straw policy.
1. Why not train your servers to ask customers if they want a straw instead of automatically giving them one? Some people don’t like straws and will appreciate being asked. All others will get a chance to stop and think about whether they actually need this disposable plastic item in the first place.
2. Doing beach clean ups we find a good majority of plastic straws that have flown from the Oceanic dining pier. I would love it if you’d switch to paper straws for those customers who request one. Yes, they are still disposable, but at least they are compostable and will not last in the environment, potentially harming wildlife. One company that offers paper straws is Aardvark (www.aardvarkstraws.com).
3. Please consider participating in an upgrade program, offering customers the opportunity to pay extra for their meal and receive a reusable straw to carry with them. There is a US company called Glass Dharma. On their website they describe the Menu Upgrade program for restaurants, which I think is a great idea. (http://glassdharma.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-on-menu.html)
I would greatly appreciate it if you would please let me know which steps you are willing to take. Besides the amazing selection of seafood, Oceanic is the only restaurant in Wrightsville Beach that overlooks the breathtaking views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean; I’d love for Oceanic to take steps to help preserve that beauty.
Sincerely,
Danielle Richardet
address
email
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Dear Oceanic:
As a long-time customer, I not only appreciate your food but also the fact that you all use reusable dishes, real flatware, and glasses. I know that when we eat at Oceanic, we’ll have a waste-free meal, that is, as long as we ask for no straws. As a family that participates in regular beach clean ups, we have found that straws are one of the most littered items on our beach (and worldwide). Knowing that so many straws are littered, our family of five makes a conscious effort to not use plastic straws.
In honor of Earth Month, I am writing to ask you to change your plastic straw policy.
1. Why not train your servers to ask customers if they want a straw instead of automatically giving them one? Some people don’t like straws and will appreciate being asked. All others will get a chance to stop and think about whether they actually need this disposable plastic item in the first place.
2. Doing beach clean ups we find a good majority of plastic straws that have flown from the Oceanic dining pier. I would love it if you’d switch to paper straws for those customers who request one. Yes, they are still disposable, but at least they are compostable and will not last in the environment, potentially harming wildlife. One company that offers paper straws is Aardvark (www.aardvarkstraws.com).
3. Please consider participating in an upgrade program, offering customers the opportunity to pay extra for their meal and receive a reusable straw to carry with them. There is a US company called Glass Dharma. On their website they describe the Menu Upgrade program for restaurants, which I think is a great idea. (http://glassdharma.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-on-menu.html)
I would greatly appreciate it if you would please let me know which steps you are willing to take. Besides the amazing selection of seafood, Oceanic is the only restaurant in Wrightsville Beach that overlooks the breathtaking views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean; I’d love for Oceanic to take steps to help preserve that beauty.
Sincerely,
Danielle Richardet
address
Try again -
ReplyDeleteI thought I would share this blog post about fast food chains and customers saying no to straws as the idea of carrying your own reusable straw catches on -
http://glassdharma.blogspot.com/2010/01/dear-fast-food.html
It will take time and lots of participation for this new way of thinking to take hold. Thank you for your post!
April 28, 2011
ReplyDeleteMellow Mushroom
4311 Oleander Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28409
Dear Mellow Mushroom:
As a long-time customer, I not only appreciate your food—it is true that Mellow Mushroom has the most amazing best pizza in town—but also the fact that you all use reusable dishes, real flatware, and reusable cups. I know that when we eat at Mellow Mushroom, we’ll have a waste-free meal, that is, as long as we ask for no straws. As a family that participates in regular beach clean ups, we have found that straws are one of the most littered items on our beach (and worldwide). Knowing that so many straws are littered, our family of five makes a conscious effort to not use plastic straws.
In honor of Earth Month, I am writing to ask you to change your plastic straw policy.
1. Whenever we request no straws, the Mellow Mushroom servers are great. I am thankful that when I let our server know that we don’t want straws (or kids cups) they say things like, “Awesome”, “Love that”, and “Wow, absolutely.” Why not train your servers to ask customers if they want a straw instead of automatically giving them one? Some people don’t like straws and will appreciate being asked. All others will get a chance to stop and think about whether they actually need this disposable plastic item in the first place.
2. I would love it if you’d switch to paper straws for those customers who request one. Yes, they are still disposable, but at least they are compostable and will not last in the environment, potentially harming wildlife. One company that offers paper straws is Aardvark (www.aardvarkstraws.com).
3. Please consider participating in an upgrade program, offering customers the opportunity to pay extra for their meal and receive a reusable straw to carry with them. There is a US company called Glass Dharma. On their website they describe the Menu Upgrade program for restaurants, which I think is a great idea. (http://glassdharma.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-on-menu.html)
I would greatly appreciate it if you would please let me know which steps you are willing to take. Our entire family absolutely loves Mellow Mushroom; we not only love your food and friendly atmosphere, but also your commitment to community.
Sincerely,
Danielle Richardet
April 22, 2011
ReplyDeleteSweet & Savory
1611 Pavilion Place
Wilmington, NC 28403
E-mail: snscafe@yahoo.com
Dear Sweet & Savory:
As a long-time customer, I not only appreciate your food but also the fact that it is served on reusable durable dishes, with real flatware and glasses. I know that when I eat at Sweet & Savory, I’ll have a waste-free meal — except for one thing: the disposable plastic straws. Since I began doing beach clean ups on Wrightsville Beach, I have found that straws are one of the most littered items on our beach (and worldwide). Because of that knowledge, our family of five doesn’t need or want straws. But unless I ask the server ahead of time not to bring us straws, they give us straws automatically, generating plastic waste that will last for thousands of years.
In honor of Earth Day, I am writing to ask you to change your plastic straw policy.
1) First, please train your servers to ask customers if they want a straw instead of automatically giving them one. Some people don’t like straws and will appreciate being asked. All others will get a chance to stop and think about whether they actually need this disposable plastic item in the first place.
2) Second, I would love it if you’d switch to paper straws for those customers who request one. Yes, they are still disposable, but at least they are compostable and will not last in the environment, potentially harming wildlife. One company that offers paper straws is Aardvark (http://www.aardvarkstraws.com).
3) And third, please consider participating in an upgrade program, offering customers the opportunity to pay extra for their meal and receive a reusable straw to carry with them. There is a U.S. company called Glass Dharma. On their web site, they describe the Menu Upgrade program for restaurants (http://glassdharma.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-on-menu.html), which I think is a fantastic idea.
Please respond and let me know which steps you are willing to take. Our entire family loves Sweet & Savory, we especially appreciate the mouthwatering food and friendly atmosphere.
Sincerely,
Danielle Richardet
address
email
Bolsa
ReplyDelete614 West Davis, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 943-1883
Dear Bolsa,
Thank you for all you do. I have been a Bolsa fan for quite some time now. I would especially like to commend and thank you for your dedication to sourcing a good portion of your menu ingredients from local farms. This is the main reason I sought out your restaurant to begin with, and I've been a fan ever since my first visit. I have an idea I would like to share with you all in case you may be open to considering it.
What do you think about stopping the use of plastic straws at Bolsa?
It has come to my attention that so much of the garbage and waste on our planet, [especially that which takes the longest to biodegrade,] has now become strewn across our earth, is ending up in the bellies of wildlife, is adding filth to our water supplies, & is littering our once immaculate beaches. A huge percentage of this waste is in the form of plastic straws. The restaurant industry is such a predominant contributing factor to this ugly problem. Plastic straws are typically placed in drinks (whether guests want them or not,) and they are discarded sometimes not even minutes after use, only to be replaced often times by a brand new piece of plastic which too will be thrown aside and then takes decades to decompose (if it even does at all.) This is such a seemingly avoidable source of waste, as well as such a wasteful expense for the restaurant owner who keeps restocking these.
I have 2 suggestions I'm offering in case this issue stirs you (no pun intended.) ;O)
1.) How about serving drinks without straws or asking guests if they prefer a straw as to eliminate waste and then maybe serving a paper straw if one is requested? Here is a supplier of paper straws: www.aardvarkstraws.com
2.) For added class and more distinguished drinks, you could also offer glass straws for sale with cocktails, and maybe you could display them for sale among your market items. I'm convinced that these would be an unexpected hit with guests. This link to Glass Dharma shows some very neat-looking varieties. http://glassdharma.com/
I have purchased several glass straws from them; I actually carry one around with me in a case in my purse all the time as dorky as this may seem. ;O) Not only is it fun to use, but it's actually helping keep our earth beautiful by eliminating yet more waste from plastic straws.
The more people who become aware of the unnecessary waste that we all create and who start to change their actions, obviously the better chance we stand at keeping our home beautiful for all to enjoy.
Well, thank you again for such a fabulous restaurant and for taking the time to read this letter. If nothing else, hopefully it will not only encourage you all to keep up the great work at Bolsa since it's such an enjoyable place for so many, but perhaps it will also open at least one person's eyes and mind to an issue that each of us has the power to change on a daily basis.
Take care. I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Vandewalle
Brownstone
ReplyDelete840 Currie St
Ft. Worth, TX 76107
817.332.1555
Dear Brownstone,
I just wanted to thank you for all you do. I have enjoyed many meals at your establishment and am a huge fan. The main reason I frequent Brownstone is the choice of quality ingredients you use for your menu items. It is refreshing to see a chef demand better ingredients from trusted sources in lieu of the sick, antibiotic-fed factory farm animals, eggs from these same type of operations, and chemical & pesticide laden and/or genetically modified fruits and veggies. I feel comfortable ordering almost anything off the menu without having to worry about where the ingredients come from when dining at Brownstone. Thank you for your commitment to this. Not only does everything taste better, but it also supports farming practices which are sustainable and healthy for our soil, water supplies, and quality of life here on earth in general.
In the spirit of (the end of) Earth Week, I thought I’d bring an idea to your attention in case you may be open to considering it. One of my favorite vacation destinations is the beach, and it has come to my attention that we have and continue to produce and dispose of so much plastic waste that this has led to massive amounts of litter and ugly waste on our beautiful beaches. So much of this litter is in the form of plastic straws. It is startling to see so many straws thrown into each and every drink at restaurants and bars these days. Many are not even used for a mere 10 minutes and are then thrown away to be replaced by another moments later. These take decades to decompose. They fill up landfills, clog drains, end up in the bellies of wildlife, and/or litter our beautiful land. Not only are they a waste of money for the establishments that continuously supply them, but they are wasteful-period, and needlessly so.
I am offering 2 ideas for your consideration seeing as you all seem to be more aware of the “bigger picture,” and the impact you have in the bigger scheme of things in general. I figured you may be possibly open to these suggestions to help maintain a beautiful, clean, unlittered earth.
1.) How about serving drinks without straws or asking guests if they prefer a straw as to eliminate waste and serving a paper straw if one is requested? Here is a supplier of paper straws: www.aardvarkstraws.com
2.) For added class and more distinguished drinks, you could also use glass straws as well. These would definitely be an unexpected hit with guests. This website has some really neat-looking varieties: http://glassdharma.com/
Well, thank you again for such a fabulous restaurant and for taking the time to read this letter. If nothing else, hopefully it will not only encourage you all to keep up the great work at Brownstone, but perhaps it will also open at least one person's eyes and mind to an issue that each of us has the power to change on a daily basis.
Take care. I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
-Elizabeth Vandewalle
Spiral Diner
ReplyDelete1314 W Magnolia Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 332-8834
Dear Spiral Diner,
I am writing this to first thank you for all you do. It is rare to find a restaurant that serves organic food, and the fact that you all make an effort in this department is greatly appreciated. I also especially like your drink options. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another restaurant who offers organic soft drinks from a soda fountain! It’s great that you take the extra step to filter your water first too so that the drinks taste better and are made from more pure water than just what comes out of the tap. Please keep up the excellent options. These are the main reasons I keep returning to the Spiral Diner (besides that the food and drinks are delicious, & the atmosphere and service are inviting as well .)
I do have one recommendation that I feel that you all may be open to considering. It seems that you do all you can to support the environment, noble causes, and our good ol’ Mother Earth.
One thing that has been brought to my attention more recently is our society’s overuse of wasteful plastic convenience items. One thing that is so easily preventable is how many plastic straws we use that unfortunately are currently littering our beautiful beaches and other gorgeous areas of our “home” like crazy. They fill landfills, clog drains, are found in the bodies of our wildlife, and are an added wasteful expense that just is downright unnecessary. What a waste for something that so many people literally use so often for only 10 minutes at a time to then simply throw away!
Please consider the following 2 recommendations to help keep our incredible home beautiful and unlittered:
1.) How about offering paper straws for to-go cups & on the counter next to your beverage glasses?
A great resource for ordering these is: http://www.aardvarkstraws.com/
2.) And what about selling glass straws that guests can carry themselves? I personally own several of these and carry one in its own container in my purse all the time. Non only is it fun as well as an interesting and informative conversational piece, but it adds quite a dash of stylish flair to any ho-hum drink! ;O)
An excellent site for ordering these is http://glassdharma.com/
Thanks again for all you do!! Happy Earth Day.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Vandewalle
Chipotle
ReplyDelete3010 East Southlake Boulevard
Southlake, TX 76092
(817) 748-4745
Dear Chipotle,
I would like to thank you for being a step of change in a food industry that I am for the most part disgusted by. You all have seemed to have taken a step in the right direction when it comes to sourcing your meat from what seem to be "better" options than the mainstream fast food chains. This is encouraging, and though I rarely, if ever eat fast food, if I do, I almost always choose your establishment (or vote for it when in a group) because of this. I have an idea I would like to share with you all in case you may be open to considering it.
What do you think about stopping the use of plastic straws?
It has come to my attention that so much of the garbage and waste on our planet, [especially that which takes the longest to biodegrade,] has now become strewn across our earth, is ending up in the bellies of wildlife, is adding filth to our water supplies, & is littering our once immaculate beaches. A huge percentage of this waste is in the form of plastic straws. The restaurant industry is such a predominant contributing factor to this ugly problem.
I have 2 suggestions I'm offering in case this issue stirs you (no pun intended.) ;O)
1.) How about ordering paper straws? Here is a supplier of paper straws: www.aardvarkstraws.com
2.) You could also sell glass straws to raise awareness. I'm convinced that these would sell due to the novelty factor alone. This link to Glass Dharma shows some very neat-looking varieties. http://glassdharma.com/
I have purchased several glass straws from them; I actually carry one around with me in a case in my purse all the time as dorky as this may seem. ;O) Not only is it fun to use, but it's actually helping keep our earth beautiful by eliminating yet more waste from plastic straws.
The more people who become aware of the unnecessary waste that we all create and who start to change their actions, obviously the better chance we stand at keeping our home beautiful for all to enjoy.
Well, thank you again for making changes of your own in an enormous industry that can definitely use it and for taking the time to read this letter. If nothing else, hopefully it will not only encourage you all to keep on making changes, but perhaps it will also open at least one person's eyes and mind to an issue that each of us has the power to change on a daily basis.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Vandewalle
Ava
ReplyDelete108 S Goliad St
Rockwall, TX 75087
469.698.9920
Dear Ava,
Congrats on your 2 yr anniversary!!
I just wanted to thank you for all you do. I have not yet enjoyed a meal at your establishment, but I cannot wait for the day when it will happen (hopefully soon! I wish you all were located closer to where I live.) The main reason I am interested in checking you out is the choice of quality ingredients you use for your menu items. It is refreshing to see a chef demand better ingredients from trusted sources and local farms. Thank you for your commitment to this. Not only does this make everything taste better, but it also supports farming practices which are sustainable and healthy for our soil, water supplies, and quality of life here on earth in general. Also, thank you for your commitment to excellence in general (from what I've read anyway.) ;O) It really sounds like you all make this a priority with each member of your staff and grant everyone the authority to carry this out unbarred. kudos.
In the spirit of (the end of) Earth Week, I thought I’d bring an idea to your attention in case you may be open to considering it.
What do you think about stopping the use of plastic straws at Ava?
It has come to my attention that so much of the garbage and waste on our planet, [especially that which takes the longest to biodegrade,] has now become strewn across our earth, is ending up in the bellies of wildlife, is adding filth to our water supplies, & is littering our once immaculate beaches. A huge percentage of this waste is in the form of plastic straws. The restaurant industry is such a predominant contributing factor to this ugly problem. Plastic straws are typically placed in drinks (whether guests want them or not,) and they are discarded sometimes not even minutes after use, only to be replaced often times by a brand new piece of plastic which too will be thrown aside and then takes decades to decompose (if it even does at all.) This is such a seemingly avoidable source of waste, as well as such a wasteful expense for the restaurant owner who keeps restocking these.
I have 2 suggestions I'm offering in case this issue stirs you (no pun intended.) ;O)
1.) How about serving drinks without straws or asking guests if they prefer a straw as to eliminate waste and then maybe serving a paper straw if one is requested? Here is a supplier of paper straws: www.aardvarkstraws.com
2.) For added class and more distinguished drinks, you could also offer glass straws for sale with cocktails. I'm convinced that these would be an unexpected hit with guests. This link to Glass Dharma shows some very neat-looking varieties. http://glassdharma.com/
I have purchased several glass straws from them; I actually carry one around with me in a case in my purse all the time as dorky as this may seem. ;O) Not only is it fun to use, but it's actually helping keep our earth beautiful by eliminating yet more waste from plastic straws.
The more people who become aware of the unnecessary waste that we all create and who start to change their actions, obviously the better chance we stand at keeping our home beautiful for all to enjoy.
Well, thank you again for such a fabulous restaurant and for taking the time to read this letter. If nothing else, hopefully it will not only encourage you all to keep up the great work at Ava, but perhaps it will also open at least one person's eyes and mind to an issue that each of us has the power to change on a daily basis.
Take care. I hope to see you all very soon and finally experience Ava for myself!!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Vandewalle
Sugarcane straw is also a kind of straw, made by Ecolo. it is even better than any plastic or 紙ストロー.
ReplyDelete