Get a Free Reusable Straw, and Help Make the Earth Just a Little Bit Better

By now, you’ve probably heard: Plastic straws are bad for the environment. Really bad.

Don’t believe me? Check out this sea turtle getting a straw removed from its nose. No, seriously. Watch the whole thing.

If that didn’t make you cringe, you might be dead inside.

Think about it. Every time you go to a restaurant, they put plastic straws in the water glasses. Straws in soda and cocktails. You can use up a couple per person in just one meal.

Now, you can take a step toward making the world a slightly better place with fewer plastic straws, thanks to this offer from the Wildlife Conservation Society.

How to Get a Free Reusable Straw

The Wildlife Conservation Society wants to get you started on the right path toward eliminating plastic straws by giving you a reusable paper straw for free.

As a part of “Give a Sip,” a movement trying to pass a bill in New York City that would ban single-use straws in restaurants, the WCS is offering people the reusable straw to set the tone.

According to the website: “An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastic in their stomachs. And when an animal ingests plastic, it’s often fatal.”

Simply head to the website, fill out the form with your name, address and email, and the straw will be headed your way. Of course, the next landing page is a description of the anti-straw bill with a chance for you to donate to the cause, but you don’t have to do it to get your freebie. If you do choose to donate $25 or more, they’ll send you a set of four stainless steel reusable straws.

There’s a limit of one free straw per household, so you may have to take turns sipping on smoothies. That’s OK. A sea turtle silently thanks you.

Tyler Omoth is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder who loves soaking up the sun and finding creative ways to help others. He’s vowed to sip all of his Papa Dobles straight from the glass from now on. Catch him on Twitter at @Tyomoth.