Saying No to straws at canteens

According to the Investigation on the Sources and Fates of Marine Refuse in Hong Kong Study Report released by the Environmental Protection Department in 2015, over 70% of marine refuse were plastic and foam plastic items. Plastic debris is polluting the marine environment and is dangerous to marine wildlife.

Disposable plastic cutleries are one major source of plastic pollution and marine debris. To arouse public awareness on reducing the use of disposable plastic cutleries, a group of dedicated PolyU students and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK) jointly organized a “No Straw Day” at Communal Dining Hall (Student Canteen II) on 10 November 2016. Straws were provided only upon requests on that day. Only 28 straws were distributed as recorded while 1,539 glasses of cold drinks were sold. 528 pledges were collected on supporting the no straw campaign from signees who agreed to take the challenge of refusing disposable straws in two weeks’ time.

(Image source: Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK) at https://www.facebook.com/OPCFHK/posts/10154294533514296)

Disclaimer: The above-mentioned activity is not organized by Campus Sustainability Committee or Campus Sustainability Office, PolyU. The information provided here is for reference only and please contact the organizer directly for details.