As we celebrate Earth Day on 22nd April, we reflect on how our single-use plastic consumption is heavily polluting our ecosystem. Our planet is in a dire situation, with plastics being reported contaminating our food chains. Microplastics have been found entering the diet of fish, shellfish, and birds, as well as our own food. Plastics are carcinogenic when ingested, and this will increase the risk of cancer.

Eight million tons of plastic flow into the ocean every year, and straws comprise 0.025 per cent of that. Despite the small percentage, going straw-free is a good start in helping to reduce ocean pollution. Recently a video went viral, where a plastic straw had to be removed from a turtle’s nose by marine biologists. Plastic straws which have been irresponsibly discarded, and landing up in the ocean may physically hurt ocean wildlife.

In conjunction with Earth Day, Suntec Singapore is proud to announce that we are going Straw-Free! Going Straw-Free will be the first step in our efforts towards zero-waste. We want to thank the following partners for their support, and giving us valuable advice in making this happen: Singapore Youth for Climate Action - SYCA, Zero Waste Singapore, Plastic-Lite Singapore.