In May, The Friendly Inn manager Sam Rodden declared the pub was going plastic straw free and plenty of others were quick to follow suit. Just a few weeks later there a virtually none left in sight, after a community forum discussed the idea. 

Kangaroo Valley Chamber of Tourism and Commerce (KVCTC) president Alison Baker said residents and business owners unanimously agreed that Kangaroo Valley should eliminate plastic straws, thereby prioritising the environment over convenience and cost of alternatives, like paper straws.

“The first steps are to not offer or ask for a straw where possible. Then to use paper straws as the best alternative,” she said. 

The KVCTC has started to distribute more than 10,000 paper straws to businesses across the town to assist in phasing out the plastic straws. 

“It’s been a really great way to get people on board and it’s been positive for everyone involved,” Ms Baker said. 

Kangaroo Valley made headlines 15 years ago when it became the first on the mainland to become plastic bag-free, following the lead of Coles Bay in Tasmania. Since then, residents have embarked on a project to reduce plastic waste wherever possible. 

While plastic straws are being phased out, Ms Baker already has her sights set on the town’s next challenge, Boomerang Bags, and eventually going single-use plastic free. 

“Perhaps accommodation providers could ensure their guests have [Boomerang Bags] for their stay in the Valley, with a note to say no to the straw,” she said. 

“I’m confident that we can eventually be single-use plastic free, it’s our responsibility to our children.”

Plastic bags, along with all single-use plastics have damaging effects on the environment, and in particular sea life. 

 According to Ocean Crusaders it is believed there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean.

Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down and in the meantime, they block drains, blow across bushland, and gradually break down into tiny flakes which stay in soil and waterways.