No more straws at the Sheraton Maui

Recognizing the negative impact plastic straws have on the world's oceans and marine life, the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has paved the way for sustainable tourism by enforcing a plastic straw ban.

The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is the first resort in the Hawaiian Islands to take a stand against single-use straws. Guests who wish to use a straw can still do so, but by using a paper-based alternative that is easily bio-degradeable.

The Hawaii Islands are home for many protected marine species, including endangered blue whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, and the Hawaiian monk seal. Too often, marine animals ingest discarded plastic, which ultimately kills or seriously harms the animal, or prevents it from hunting, breeding, or living harmoniously in its natural environment.

According to the Surfrider Foundation, an American non-profit organization committed to cleaning up coastlines in the U.S, by 2050, the weight of plastics is expected to outweigh the fish and marine life that call the ocean home.

“Our plastic addiction has intensified,” said Melissa Mefford, Communications Manager at Surfrider. “In the U.S., about 100 billion plastic bags are used annually. That’s around 360 bags a year for each person in this country. Every day, more than 500 million plastic straws are discarded. For every 167 disposable water bottles the average American uses, only 38 are recycled. Less than five per cent of plastic bags are recycled. That’s a lot of plastic.”

At the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, the paper straws will be provided in kids beverages and blended tropical drinks, or upon request.

“Pu‘u Keka‘a (Black Rock), fronting the resort, is one of the top destinations on Maui to see tropical marine life in their natural habitat, including the beloved honu. Implementing usage of paper straws over single-use plastics is one of the many initiatives we have at a property level centered on corporate social responsibility, protecting the ‘aina, or land, and honoring our resort’s special location in Ka‘anapali,” said Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa’s General Manager Tetsuji Yamazaki.

The property has already taken strides towards reducing its carbon footprint on the local environment, including core energy efficiency and water conservation initiatives like donating partially used bath amenities to social welfare organizations, and donating old pillows and blankets to the Maui Humane Society and Salvation Army.

“We strongly believe that care for one another begins with taking care of our surroundings and our continued sustainability efforts are just one of the many ways we strive to provide the highest standard of care and comfort for visitors and guests at our resort,” said Yamazaki.