The Bean is using its new straw-less campaign to try to push students towards a positive environmental impact.

Straws are used by millions of people every day, but many fail to consider the environmental impacts that they have.

Straws and other trash often end up in our oceans, polluting the water and harming sea life.

The Bean hopes that their efforts to promote skipping the straw will help keep our earth clean and healthy for years to come. 

David Casida, senior director of dining, said the Bean still plans to offer straws to those that want one, but they hope that by raising awareness it will help people understand the negative effects of pollution. 

“It takes only a few minutes to make a straw and virtually they last forever because they just don’t break down,”  Casida said. “Overall, we hope to have a positive impact.”

Stainless steel, paper and silicone straws are the most popular alternatives to plastic ones for students who want to join the movement, but still want to enjoy their drink with a straw. 

These alternatives can be found online or at local grocery stores.

One of the hardest challenges that the Bean faces is trying to get people involved and paying attention to what they are trying to achieve.

As social media continues to grow and become part of our everyday lives it is important that ACU adapts explained Natalie Jones, a freshman nutrition major from Lubbock.

“I think the Bean has gotten really creative in trying to reach out to students in order to get them to participate in various movements,” Jones said.

The Bean has already begun to spread their movement with different promotional advertisements.

Last Friday, the Bean handed out free silicon straws and lemonade to students as a way to get them interested in the idea of straw-less dining.

The Bean also plans to share several different social media posts that will give various statistics on the dangers of plastic straws.

To see these plastic straw facts and statistics follow the Bean on Instagram.