

If you don’t need that plastic straw, skip it.
Your last straw is the first step.
Join aquariums across the country in reducing plastic waste. Disposable plastic is only in your hands for a moment, but it piles up forever in our ocean, rivers, and lakes – and hurts your favorite aquatic animals. Thankfully, there are simple actions you can take to help – and it starts with the plastic straw.
Step 01
Pledge to skip the straws you don’t need
Join the other
who have taken the pledge
Did you know?
Plastic straws don’t biodegrade under natural conditions, and they can’t easily be recycled due to their small size. Instead, they persist on our planet for hundreds of years — breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces without being assimilated back into the environment.
Get more facts on plastic pollution.Step 02
Ask your local restaurants to serve straws only on request
@yourlocalrestaurant I took the #FirstStep pledge to fight plastic pollution and protect aquatic wildlife by skipping plastic straws. Join me by becoming a straws-on-request business: https://bit.ly/2IwNrrU
Step 03
Sign up now for our 7-day plastic-free challenge
Ready to make an even bigger impact? Join our week-long challenge and get daily tips (and pictures of adorable animals!) – straight to your phone – to stay motivated on your plastic-free journey.
Text "FIRSTSTEP" to 49767 to joinYou will receive periodic messages from NEEF. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 49767 to opt out. Terms and Conditions
Did you know?
It’s estimated that nearly 9 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year — and if we don’t make changes, the rate of plastic flowing into the sea could double by 2025.
Get more facts on plastic pollution.Step 04
Help spread the word on Facebook
Tackling a problem like plastic pollution takes strength in numbers. Invite your friends to take their first step with you.
Did you know?
Our aquariums have collectively eliminated an estimated 5 million straws in just one year!
Get more facts on plastic pollution.Step 05
Get in touch with your community leaders
Talk with your federal, state, and local decision-makers about the importance of reducing the sources of plastic pollution.
Find your representative
Follow Us
Connect with your local aquarium for more ways to take action — and get updates on your favorite aquatic animals.
Seward, AK
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San Francisco, CA
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Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
New Orleans, LA
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Long Beach, CA
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San Pedro, CA
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California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco, CA
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Monterey, CA
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Mystic, CT
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Baltimore, MD
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Boston, MA
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Newport, KY
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North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Kure Beach, NC
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North Carolina Aquarium at Jennette’s Pier
Jennette’s Pier, NC
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North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Pine Knoll Shores, NC
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North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Manteo, NC
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Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Omaha, NE
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Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Tacoma, WA
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Seattle, WA
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Chicago, IL
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Charleston, SC
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Corpus Christi, TX
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Tampa, Florida
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Chattanooga, TN
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Virginia Beach, VA
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Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium
Brooklyn, NY
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Association of Zoos & Aquariums
The AZA is an ex-officio member of the ACP. All ACP member aquariums are AZA-accredited.
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About the Campaign
First Step is a campaign of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), a coalition of 22 U.S. aquariums taking action together to advance ocean and freshwater conservation. Our primary goal is to reduce the sources of ocean and freshwater plastic pollution by using a mix of consumer, business, and policy strategies, starting with our own commitment. In 2017, we eliminated single-use plastic straws and bags in our aquariums, and we are working toward significantly reducing or eliminating single-use plastic beverage bottles by 2020. We are also showcasing alternatives to single-use plastic and are looking at other ways we can reduce our plastic footprint. Learn more about the ACP.