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Skip the Straw Day

Join us for Skip the Straw Day! Make a small change with a big impact and help protect our oceans one sip at a time.

Friday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFourth Friday in February

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYNature

SUBCATEGORYConservation

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Leap into action this February 23rd for Skip the Straw Day! Originating as an environmental campaign by a group of earth-loving students in 2017, this consciousness-raising day encourages us all to refuse the plastic straws for just one day to acknowledge the impact on our planet. These tiny, often overlooked pieces of plastic have been causing major issues for our oceans and wildlife. It's an amazing event that connects people worldwide and inspires us to make small changes that can lead to a big impact. So, get your favourite beverage, skip the straw, and toast to clear oceans and a healthier planet!

TIMELINE

Skip the Straw Day Timeline

Invention of the Straw

Marvin C. Stone patented the first modern drinking straw, originally made from paper, providing a new way to consume beverages.

Rise of Plastic Straws

Plastic straws replaced paper straws during the 1960s plastic boom, leading to increased convenience but also waste and pollution.

First Strawless Campaign

The Last Plastic Straw movement was created by conservation organization Save Our Shores, promoting straw reduction worldwide.

Viral Video Impact

A video showing a distressed sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nostril went viral, sparking debate about straw usage.

Inception of Skip the Straw Day

A group of students in California started the Skip the Straw Day initiative to raise awareness about the environmental impact of plastic straws.

Major Corporations Join

Major corporations like Starbucks announced their commitment to abandon single-use plastic straws, greatly reducing the environmental footprint.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Skip the Straw Day

Buy an alternative straw

Invest in a reusable straw, for example made from stainless steel, silicone, or glass, and keep it in your bag to use whenever you are out. Many of these straws come with a cleaning brush and a case for easy transport.

ENCOURAGE

Encourage your local businesses

Bring the skip-the-straw initiative to your local cafes and restaurants. Show them the stats and impact plastic straws have on the environment, and urge them to join the movement by offering paper or compostable straws instead.

EDUCATE

Educate others about skip the straw day

Use your social media presence to make a change and raise awareness about the environmental impact of plastic straws. You can share interesting articles or viral videos that highlight the importance of skipping the straw.

ARRANGE

Arrange a cleanup day

Organize a cleanup day in your local community to pick up litter, including plastic straws. This will make a visible impact on your own environment, and also raise awareness in your community about the problems related to plastic waste.

CRAFT

Craft with straws

Instead of throwing away any leftover plastic straws you might have at home, use them for crafts. You can make beautiful and colorful flower pot decorations, ornaments, and even chandeliers. This can be a creative way to put those straws to one last use before recycling them.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Skip the Straw Day is Important

It's a creative and fun approach to environmental education

With activities like crafting with leftover straws and community cleanups, Skip the Straw Day makes learning about environmental issues enjoyable and hands-on. It encourages understanding through direct participation and creativity, making it an effective and engaging way to increase environmental awareness.

Skip the Straw Day inspires positive action

Skip the Straw Day is a perfect example of how small individual actions can collectively lead to significant environmental changes. The day encourages us to take the easy step of refusing a plastic straw, raising awareness and creating a ripple effect of sustainable practices.

It connects people globally for a common cause

The day's universal nature links individuals, communities, and businesses worldwide towards a common goal - reducing plastic waste. This shared endeavor strengthens our sense of a global community, underscores our interconnectedness, and the role each of us plays in safeguarding our planet.