SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): An Ontario County Department of Sustainability and Solid Waste Management announced the launch of a new campaign that aims to limit the number of plastic straws thrown into garbage.

The official launch of the Every Sip Counts campaign is scheduled for 24th February, Friday at New York Kitchen. The event will host discussions about the campaign and distribute materials to establishments, who will be part of the innovative campaign.

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The local establishments are not required to completely get rid of straws. The straws will not be provided automatically to customers. Instead, they will be provided only upon customers’ request. As per studies, majority of customers tend to not take a straw when offered. Another alternative option for establishments is to switch to biodegradable paper straws which causes no harm to environment.

As per rough estimates, the U.S. discards approximately 390 million plastic straws every single day.

Alyssa Belasco, Executive Director, New York Kitchen invited all establishments to join it in straw reduction efforts by pledging to provide straws only upon request. The collective effort will lead to significant reduction in carbon footprint, by reducing the use of single-use plastics, Belasco added.