Source: onelessstraw.org
Published: August 26, 2016
Attention all teachers, school superintendents and community groups;
My name is Olivia (13) and together with my brother Carter (15) we started our own nonprofit called One More Generation (OMG) back in 2009 in an effort to help clean up our environment for at least One More Generation… and beyond. As the founders of One More Generation™ and K-12 students ourselves, we’re constantly seeking ways for young people to be involved in the conservation and preservation of our natural world and wildlife. It’s what we love to do!
We are pleased to announce our OneLessStraw Pledge Campaign for America’s K-12 students. Why? Did you know that 500,000,000 plastic straws are used in America every single day and most never get recycled? That’s enough to fill over 127 school busses with plastic straws every day. Plastic drinking straws contribute to world-wide pollution and are a petroleum-based product.
The campaign has three phases. The first phase happens now in August when we reach out to organizations around the world, seeking partners for the campaign. We are also sending out emails to each and every school superintendent across the country advising them of the campaign.
The second phase happens in September when we ask schools across the nation, and even in select countries, to have their students participate in the program by signing a pledge stating they promise not to use a single plastic straw during the month of October. We are also asking the students to get at least one family member to do the same. The pledge they sign allows the person taking the pledge to commit to a dollar amount they promise to pay for every time they forget to refuse a straw.
All funds collected by the students go 100% to their school so they can afford to bring in more environmental education programs to their school. We are also asking students to seek out at least one restaurant in their community that they can approach and ask them also to sign a pledge stating that they promise not to hand out straws during the entire month of October unless requested by the customer.
The final phase happens in October when we ask the students to help ensure they and their family gets in the habit of saying “No” to plastic straws for the entire month.
Our newly launched OneLessStraw.org website has tons of resources and even features an interactive map which will showcase schools, businesses and even communities that have taken the pledge. Campaign materials will also be available in Spanish.
As you already know, environmental education is being promoted for the first time through the authorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This gives K-12 students more opportunities to learn about conservation practices in conjunction with good stewardship. Our campaign is designed to work with and support this new Act, and offer students ways to demonstrate their commitment and make a difference, all at once.
This article no longer exists at the Source link above. It can be found in the Matteroftrust.org Resource Library.