91% of all plastic does not get recycle. This picture depicts, a perfect example that supports the statistic thatis what was visible  upon  entering a  local store, we noticed something there is a trashcan overflowing with plastic cups and straws. The first thought that came to mind as all my gosh look at all those straws! And then once we started thinking about it further we realize that all of those plastic cups could be recycled but they were not.

So to be proactive, we asked the owner of the store where the recycling bins were outside and she said unfortunately we do not have them, that the landlord did not provide any. This was disappointing to hear, however, Helping Ninjas decided to make it a mission to find out! A letter must be sent to the landlord, once he learns of this mistake, they might be surprised to learn about the effects of global plastic pollution.

Reason the plastic waste was piled and overflowing up on out of the top of the trashcan was because the actual trashcan was probably filled with them and overflowing…Can you imagine how many sea turtles are harmed because of instances like this?

Helping Ninjas want others to learn from this, and to help places around the world to have more access to recycling bins, and/or educate others to take their trash home with them and reuse it and/or recycle it themselves.

 

 

This is  a perfect example of plastic polluting, something I learned in National Geographic Magazine, is that sea turtles often eat plastic bags thinking that they are a favorite food; jellyfish.

 

On the way to  Bub’s we saw these trees.

 

 At Bub’s we celebrate a STRAWLESS cheers!

 On the way from Bub’s we spotted a farmers market and they agreed to notify people about our initiative! They also hung our flyers!

 

 

 

 

These are all fresh produce that were grown Without harmful pesticide!

 

 

 

 

 

 We had more success at Greek’s Pizzeria, where they agreed to hang our signs.

 

 We were happy too find out Agave does not hand out straws at all unless asked too! They also agreed to see if they could change from plastic to Bio-degradable!

  OK so we went to Starbucks and had success they were willing to hang all of our signs at the committee board!

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, we continued to accomplish our journey by convincing more companies to stop using plastic straws and other plastics.

 

 

 

We started by going to the local Kroger, and. we talked with the manager and he agreed to hang flyers in the employee break room! He also said said he will hang our signs for customers bring reusable bags instead of using plastic bags or choose paper.

Next, we went to the local Starbucks. We got them to hang signs that tell people to use reusable coffee cups and they had these cool new cups that have a sip cup side that you can use without a straw! And, one little ninja used one of them to drink his water!

We found out about an hour later that Starbuck announced they were going to get rid of straws completely in 2020! AWESOME! An organization that inspired us, Lonely Whale played a huge role in Starbucks making this decision to ditch the straws! And then Seattle, announced to ban plastic straws city-wide!  This  do this amazing and we are hoping to inspire Indianapolis!

We then went to Cosbos, we spoke with the manager and he said he would ask his boss if they could switch from plastic straws to Bio-degradable straws instead. Actually, an hour after we left here, we heard on the news that Starbucks announced they would end plastic straw use by 2020.

Next, we went to Subway, the manager agreed to ask if they could switch their straws from plastic to biodegradable; he also agreed to not handing out straws unless asked to. We went to Pizza Hut after, Pizza Hut is one of the harder ones to tackle. We asked and the manager said he would ask the Corporate office if they could switch.

 

We then went to Muldoons, they actually already switched from plastic to Bio-degradable; so they agreed to hang are flyers! They had just opened the box that day! We were so exited to learn they are leaders in the city and helping the environment! Wait to go Mudloons!

Thank you Mudoons of Carmel!

 

 

We then went to Sccoty’s Brewhouse, they also agreed to look into it a couple of days ago. So, we delivered flyers to them.

 

 

 

 

Then we went to Main Street Poke, We found out that they switched their straws a while back; and they also agreed to hang our signs. We were so excited to learn that they are ALREADY using COMPOSTABLE Straws!  And, the hung our sign! Thank you Main Street Poke!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then went to Vitality. They agreed to switching too, and they put there plastic straws OUT OF SIGHT! He was going to look into ordering compostable straws that afternoon! And he was going to hang our signs! WAIT TO GO VITALITY BOWLS

 

 

 

 

Celebrating the floss at Vitality Bowls, whom agreed to ditch the plastic straws and immediately look into purchasing of eco-friednlly as well as only give to patrons on a need to ask basis! Helping Ninjas Hive Five!

We then went to a few other shops where we were also successful. We also went to Bub’s, who already agreed with us and hung our flyers. We then went to Bazbeao’s Pizza, who already switched their straws a long time ago; they too agreed to hang our flyers.

I went to Verde after that, They also agreed with us a while back; they then hung our flyers and are about to order new Bio-degradable straws! Next, I went to Bar Louis; who also agreed with us, hung our flyers, and are actually ordering Bio-degradable straws! After that, we went to Greek’s Pizzeria as our final stop, and the owner himself was notified about our initiative; they also agreed to consider switching. In the end, a hard day’s of work took us a step forward to complete our initiative to stop plastic straws.

Day 3

Today six helping ninjas and a helping ninja mom visited several businesses today informing them about our #StandUpToStraws initiative. Inspiring to see children determined  to help and I am honored to have the opportunity to watch it unfold and look forward to witnessing positive impact on a more sustainable environment!

Helping Ninjas and visited with the following Carmel businesses, excitedly to report all of which were compliant with our cause, and had open minds to supporting our efforts!

The following businesses agreed to support our cause by hanging signs and look into exploring alternative straws!

• Kroger, 161st Spring Mill
• Starbuck’s/Kroger, 161st Spring Mill
• Cabos Mexican Restaurant
• Subway
• Pizza Hut
• Vet
• Starbucks
• Ice Cream, Carmel
• Verdes
• Greeks

 

Written By Helping Ninjas, Sid, Leo, and Helping Ninjas Mom, Lindsey 

Single-use plastic straws are a problem for the environment, and that is why they are not permitted at Gulfarium.

Helping Ninjas got to meet Gulfarium, Sarah, who #StandsUpToStraws

She helped Gulfarium create a recorded segment of her explaining the harms of single-use straws! We heard it over the loud speaker! Sarah asked all visitors at Gulfarium to choose to refuse a straw!

Helping Ninjas got to visit the C.A.R.E. Center – A center and hospital of composed of marine biologists who rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles.

Links to  videos to see Gulfarium staff in action, and the many ways we are helping our oceans.  See Gulfarium staff in action: https://www.gulfarium.com/conservetopreserve

C.A.R.E. Center is a great resource! Individual stories about our C.A.R.E. Center and updates may be found here: https://facebook.com/gulfariumcarecenter/

 

A Note from two Helping Ninja Leaders:

We have started hitting the streets, and we went to local restaurants in the Northside Indianapolis area, specifically Carmel today; where we started negotiating to bank plastic straws. We started off by going to Verde. You see, they already joined our initiative over the 4th of July Holiday so we gave them posters and helped them by ordering a round of compostable straws for them to sample. Their manager, Mario, is awesome and wants to help!  He told us he had been thinking about plastic straws for just a few months back… How it only takes a couple seconds to make, but years to decompose. We concurred. It actually takes up to a thousand years. Thank you Mario for joining us to #StandUpToStraws! Helping Ninjas Mission Complete!

Next, we then went to Bar Louie, the next-door restaurant, and we told them about our initiative and they agreed to help us by asking their supervisor/owner if they can. They will respond to us soon, when we stop back by. Bar Louie is very interested in helping us, and is specifically interested in us looking for eco-friendly stir straws for adult beverages – we have a new mission! Find eco-friendly stir straws for restaurant’s adult and bar & lounge areas! Helping Ninjas Mission accepted!

Helping Ninjas, Sid, Age 11, Carmel, IN & Leo, Age 9, Carmel, IN

A Note from a Helping Ninjas Mom:

Over the holiday, we visited Verde, Flavors of Mexico, in Carmel, Indiana to have dinner, and were pleasantly surprised how easy it was to ditch the straws at the dinner table. We simply asked the waiter to bring us glasses, half full, for the children, and that we would not be needing any straws. Verde was excited to do so and willingly met our request, not faltering once! No straws for us! And, when the children asked Mario, the manager to join our initiative, he was intrigued and interested in learning more about eco-friendly options, and more than willing to #StandUpToStraws with us! Collectively we decided that Verde would put the current plastic straws they have behind the counter, only using them sparingly and when a patron asks for it, and then will explore options for ordering new compostable or a more eco-friendly option than plastic. The Helping Ninjas were so happy, we had to floss to celebrate! We first cheers a strawless cheers and then decided to floss for those who stood up with us!

So, now, I not only love Verdes for their amazingly fresh and delicious Mexican cuisine, eclectic yet classy and kid-friendly ambiance and superb service – I’m now sold because they care about our planet and want to help! Helping Ninjas HIGH FIVE Verdes!

I started collecting straws from restaurants about a month ago. Usually, we take home any plastic straws in my purse. I tell my children that, “If it doesn’t end up in the trash, it can’t go to a landfill, and nothing can get harmed!” Sometimes even if we inform our server we prefer not use straws, unfortunately, waitresses/waiter are sometimes very busy and forget – and one usually lands in a glass on our table. We don’t shame, we simply give it back if its wrapped, or if  just put it in my purse to add to the collection! At one restaurant, I counted 12 straws that were brought to our table. For a family of six, this may not seem too excessive, but the time I’m speaking of, was actually just my husband and myself. And this was after we asked for no straws! Each time a new drink or refill was brought, a new straw. And we were drinking water! No need to point fingers or disclose names, it’s just time for a change is my only point. Time to stop the insanity. Truly, there is no need for plastic straws.

Lindsey, Helping Ninjas Mom, Carmel, IN