TWO Redlands girls have set out to save marine life by asking cafes and restaurants to not use plastic straws when serving drinks.
Kate Beutel and Lacey Frost, both 9, have visited venues across the region asking them to join the #straw nomore campaign.
In a speech delivered at council chambers this month, Kate and Lacey asked councillors to join them on their mission.
Lacey said about 150 turtles were killed each year in Moreton Bay from plastic waste.
Turtles could die from being entangled in ropes, eating plastic bags and suffocating on straws.
She said the 500 million straws used in the United States everyday could be wrapped around the earth twice.
“...They never break down and contribute to the plastic soup floating in our ocean and wreaking havoc on marine life,” she said.
The girls gave #strawnomore posters to councillors to help them share the message.
Kate asked mayor Karen Williams if she could talk with cafe owners about not using straws when serving drinks.
She also wanted school students to not drink from poppers and to use re-usable metal straws.
“Together Lacy and I would like to educate all the cafes, restaurants and schools across the Redlands Coast to stop using plastic straws,” she said.
So far, the girls have recruited the Grand View Hotel, One Stop Cafe and Bayview State School to the #strawnomore campaign.
They are also encouraging businesses and party hosts to not use helium balloons, which also contribution to marine pollution.
Cr Williams presented both girls with a certificate of acknowledgement.
She said Kate and Lacey had doorknocked businesses in their spare time to raise awareness about the issue.
