The use of plastic straws, along with other single-use plastics, is having a detrimental effect on our planet. Making their way into our oceans, our soil, and the stomachs and noses of our wildlife, plastics are generating an unhealthy environment for us and our future generations to inhabit. Fortunately, countless businesses are taking steps towards protecting the health of our communities! Zachary’s Pleasant Hill, for instance, a 2017 Business of the Year award recipient, has been a role model during Crestwood Healing Center’s Central Contra Costa’s Last Plastic Straw campaign. In addition to now only providing straws upon request, they have switched out their plastic straws for compostable ones. Kevin Suto, President and CFO of Zachary’s Chicago Pizza, Inc., explains: “We’re participating because we want to do what we can to reduce waste and continue to be environmentally-conscious. Reducing the number of straws used by issuing upon request, along with using straws made from compostable material, is another step we can take to do our part. Every little bit helps.” Zachary’s is not alone. After hearing a biologist explain the dangerous consequences of plastics ending up in our oceans, Dante Biale, son of Rocco’s Ristorante Pizzeria owner Rocco Biale, knew that providing straws only upon request was a great addition to their already-established practices of recycling, composting, and providing biodegradable to-go containers: “I don’t feel like it’s very hard to forego plastic. The less plastic, the less trash, the less damage. You have to start somewhere and there’s no reason to not only provide straws upon request.” Other Central Contra Costa’s Last Plastic Straw participants include Sorrento Italian Restaurant and Pizza in Walnut Creek, now only providing straws upon request, Giant Chef Burger in Pleasant Hill, providing compostable straws only upon request, and ButtercuP diner, also only providing straws up0n request and switching to a biodegradable alternative. Thanks to these community leaders, there’s hope for a healthier future.
We would also like to recognize the efforts of just some of the many other businesses in Central Contra Costa that had already made the commitment to going plastic straw free before our campaign began:
The Rising Loafer (Lafayette)
American Kitchen (Lafayette)
Paxti’s Pizza (Lafayette)
Metro Lafayette (Lafayette)
Dragon’s Spring (Pleasant Hill)
Danville Harvest (Danville)
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If you are a business interested in joining our campaign, please contact Crestwood Healing Center’s Sustainability Coordinator, Chloe De Lancie. Email: cdelancie@cbhi.net; phone: 925-938-8050 ext. 14346.
Interested in getting involved in the Last Plastic Straw movement as a consumer? We urge you to speak up and say no to plastic straws (and other single-use plastics), support businesses such as the ones listed above, and encourage new businesses to join us! You can also support the campaign by signing our petition (https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/make-ccc-straw-free/) and following our Central Contra Costa’s Last Plastic Straw Facebook page. Looking for more resources on how to help? Visit https://thelastplasticstraw.org/volunteer/individual.
