TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Divi ditches straws

Great idea!

There are many drinks that I would not order without a straw. I'm sure that when an order is placed for a frozen strawberry daiquiri, a straw will be included.

Then perhaps you might request a paper one.

The reality is that this is a Divi cost saving measure that the marketing people are spinning as if they care about the environment.

All they really have to do is say "Straws available upon request." When they are requested, provide a paper biodegradable straw.

It is a great idea - something I never thought of.
They could probably be recycled with the other plastics. I will even take mine home to place in the bin.

Good Idea, some can say it's just a marketing ploy by Divi , but it's a real issue - good for them for doing something
Enormous amount of floating garbage in the oceans, lots of it plastics. Lots of studies to show that plastic straws are a garbage problem, land and water. Just as plastic non reusable water bottles have taken a hit, so should plastic straws. For those who want plastic straws, bring your own!

J&B

I cant remember the last paper straw i encountered. Im ok with a paper one. There are some Places i dont fully trust their dishes, kind of got that bar dip and rinse feel vice a good hot bath. Sounds stupid but in some cases i like the straw to ease my mind hoping the inside is cleaner than the edge and the outside.

Are straws the devil? It would seem to me water bottles, coke cups and lids and styrofoam to go containers would far out do the poor straw.

All single use plastic is the devil. So glad to hear Divi is taking this initiative and wish everyone would do it!

Cigarette butts, water bottles, caps and styrofoam constitute a large problem also.

I typically ask my server for no straw. Got raised eyebrows at first, now most remember. A couple of times they forgot and put the straw in, remembered as the drink was being served and quickly pulled it out and threw it away!

Plastic straws and all disposable plastic is evil.

Use of a straw also gives you lip lines! lol...much akin to smoking.

Yes, we had dinner locally last night and they put plastic straws on the table automatically for our water. We didn't use them. I do wonder whether they just throw them away, even if they aren't opened. I suspect there's some rule that says they have to throw it away, if it's been placed on the table...

At the Animal Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World there are no plastic straws - only paper and there are no plastic lids for drinks either. Plastic is harmful to all the wildlife there, and of course, everywhere.

Great to see. That is a start, and should be island wide. Hopefully others will follow, and stop as well.

In NYC last weekend, was given a stainless steel straw with a cocktail that I ordered - It was fine... and reusable

No, plastic straws are not recyclable. For more on the topic see: https://livegreen.recyclebank.com/because-you-asked-what-s-so-bad-about-plastic-straws

There is no recycling here on the Dutch side.

How about on the French side? Is there any recycling there?

Yes there is.

Good to know. Great that they do. Wish Dutch side would get on board.