Hi Earl Grey,

I’m a good person. I know people sometimes say that but don’t mean it. I mean it. I’m a good person. I want to help the environment, I really do. But I’m terrible at it. I don’t compost, I forget to recycle, and I have a certain affinity for plastic straws that I just can’t seem to shake.

I’m not proud of this. I feel guilty all the time. I bought a box of colorful straws at Tops last month and, I kid you not, I hid the box under my bed. I didn’t want to look at it. I didn’t want to remember that there is an environmental problem and I am part of it — a big part of it. The box is still there.

I don’t know what to do. What should I do? How can I contribute to helping the environment? H E L P.

Sincerely,

Straw Enthusiast

Dear Straw Enthusiast,

You are certainly not alone in your desire to cut straws from your life. We all know we shouldn’t be using them and yet they still find a way into our Starbucks and Jamba Juice. But it is actually simpler to cut straws out of your life than you might think. Here are some steps for you to stop hoarding straws under your bed:

1. Buy metal (reusable) straws. I can personally attest that metal straws are easy to find, cheap to buy, and easy to clean. Our own environmental club even sells them! Overall they provide an identical sipping experience to traditional straws. There’s nothing stopping you from switching!
2. Bring them with you. Bring your straws with you wherever you go. Make sure to pull them out at restaurants before the waiter or barista sticks a plastic straw in your cup.
3. Spread the word. Make sure everyone knows how easy it is to stop using plastic straws.

There’s nothing I can tell you to validate your behavior and relieve your guilt. You have no excuses to keep buying straws and hoarding them in your room.

Take Action,

Earl Grey