Earth Day Heroes: How Chloe and Ella Are Helping the Planet Ditch Plastic Straws!

This Earth Day we are shining a spotlight on two inspiring young women who are making waves in the fight against plastic pollution.

Chloe Lin and Ella Lin, founders of @skiptheplasticstraw campaign, are on a mission to phase out plastic straws for good and we support them 100%!

What started as a simple idea, has grown into a powerful movement. These passionate change makers are big on educating people about the impact of single use straws and urge the public and businesses to switch to eco friendly alternatives. 

We had the chance to interview Chloe and Ella to learn more about their journey, their passion and their vision for a plastic free future. Read their impressive and inspiring story below: 

1. What inspired you to start advocating for the ban on plastic straws? Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize the urgency of this issue?

When I was 11 years old, I started my campaign as a sixth-grade school project, a "Passion Project," in which I was able to research anything I was passionate about. I am an avid scuba diver, love the ocean and marine mammals, and was heartbroken after watching the viral video of a plastic straw stuck in a turtle’s nose. It was a wake-up call to me and I knew I had to take action to protect these innocent marine animals from plastic pollution.

For my Passion Project, I chose to research and campaign against the use of single-use plastic straws. I created my website, SkipThePlasticStraw.com, and Instagram page, @skiptheplasticstraw, to educate people on the harmful effects of single-use plastic straws. Unlike other plastics, plastic straws are not recyclable or biodegradable – you use a plastic straw for a few minutes but it outlives you, remaining on the planet for hundreds of years. Plastic straws only break down into microscopic pieces, and marine animals often mistake them as food causing them to be injured, suffocate or die (as was the case with the turtle). If this doesn’t change, plastic will continue to end up in the ocean and affect marine life indefinitely. We all need to do our part to reduce our consumption of single-use plastic – and plastic straws are a good place to start!

My sister, Ella Lin, is also an avid scuba diver and joined me in my campaign; together we started a journey to protect our environment. Because we weren't able to do in-person presentations during COVID, we launched a YouTube Channel called the Sustainable Sisters. Our channel was about reviewing eco-friendly products and brands, and sharing ways we can all help to protect our environment.

2. What has been your biggest achievement so far in your mission to eliminate plastic straws in our environment?

Together, we convinced a) the PALI Outdoor Science Institute in the San Bernardino Mountains, b) five school districts (245 schools in total), and c) two hospitals in Orange County to join our campaign to remove all plastic straws from their cafeterias. We created posters to display at all the school cafeterias to inform students and teachers of the new change, and to hopefully inspire them to skip the plastic straw even outside of school. We also started a lecture series to youth groups at schools and nature camps in our community, and have presented to thousands of people on the harmful effects of single-use plastic straws and the power of recycling.

3. Have you seen a shift in young people's attitudes toward plastic use since you started your advocacy? 

Yes! Whenever we present to kids at camps, they are always so eager to help spread the word to their friends and family to choose alternative straws instead. 

4. What role do you think young people play in driving environmental change? 

We’ve learned that it’s possible for one person – adult or kid – to make a difference for our environment. All it takes is someone who cares passionately enough to start their journey to low-waste living or even to begin a campaign. We love inspiring young people to join our mission!

5. What are your plans for the future? Are there any other areas of sustainability you want to focus on? 

Ella Lin started her Recycling for Nature initiative in 2021 to expand our campaign. She has since involved hundreds of people in our community to help recycle over 29,000 empty cans and plastic bottles, and has raised more than $2,000, all of which has been donated to local conservation organizations to help with their work. We hope to continue involving our community in recycling projects, as well as team up with brands (locally and globally) to promote ways to lead a more sustainable life. 

6. If you could inspire people to make one simple sustainable change in their daily lives, what would it be? 

Single-use plastic straws are harmful but they’re only the tip of the single-use plastic problem. If you can start by joining us to skip that plastic straw and switch to alternative straws – like bamboo straws from Coconut Bowls – or no straw at all, you will already be making a huge difference.

7. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start making a difference in sustainability but doesn't know where to begin? 

Start small and work with friends who share your common passion on sustainability. It’s more fun to work with a partner, which is why my sister and I love working together! 

We thank Chloe and Ella Lin and encourage you to follow the links to read more about their excellent cause. It's up to us to protect the future of our planet!