In the news
Single use plastic straw is banned for Cham Island's 9 years Anniversary as a Biosphere reservation
February 2019
Recognize as Global Reserve by UNESCO in 2009, Cham Island is a Nature Gift to Vietnam and it citizens. That is why on it 9th anniversary, the local government decide to put an end to the plastic problems.
Since the recognition they already banned plastic bags and this year, they all bring it to the next level. No more single use straw. As first thought, this banned is a dis-advantage for tourism because you can't sell drink to satisfy the unquenchable thirst of tourist, but for the long term this will help to protect the scenery and gain the profit through reuse-able straw. This is the begin, step by step of the government to to single use plastic free society.
Strawless in Saigon
January 2019
Many companies in Ho Chi Minh City are beginning to be sustainability conscious by finding alternatives to plastic straws.
Vietnam Starbucks are reducing their plastic use by changing their cup design, so that straws are no longer needed. We think these strawless lids are a great start, but the cup designs are single use plastic which is still causing plastic waste. Starbucks are however, reducing a drink’s price by 10,000 VND if you bring your own cup. This is a good incentive to reduce single use plastic and some of our teachers at school, including Ms. Chelsea and Mr. Matt have started doing this!
What other alternatives are being used in our city? According to Zero Waste Saigon, who sell green grass straws, 42 restaurants and bars in HCMC are choosing their straws over plastic straws. These straws are made from natural Co Bang grass in Long An Province and are single use degradable products. Another alternative, that Ms. Tatum is selling at TAS, is Bamboo straws. These straws can be washed and used last for years and years.
The news above reflects the current trend of many shops and coffee shops- Replacing plastic straws. The trend may have started worldwide right after a video titled “Sea Turtle with Straw up its Nostril.” It has around 31 million views on YouTube along with social media campaigns such as Straw-less in Seattle. Currently, Starbuck coffee is one of the companies leading this movement.
How can we follow this trend at TAS? Could we use alternatives to plastic straws for our smoothies and milkshakes? Earth day is coming up and the sustainability club is looking for ideas to kick-start a strawless school environment.
References
Green Grass Drinking Straws. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.zerowastesaigon.com/grass-straws/
Starbucks Vietnam Introduces Strawless Lids, Seeks to Curb Single-Use Plastic From 2019 | Saigoneer. (2019). Retrieved from https://saigoneer.com/vietnam-news/15435-starbucks-vietnam-introduces-strawless-lids,-seeks-to-curb-single-use-plastic-from-2019