It got me thinking that literally every fish that is eaten has likely ingested plastic everyday and the photo was all but true to people who eat raw fish. The reality of this photo makes complete sense, but do enough people really care?
Ditch the Straw PDX
There has been local discussion about getting rid of straws. The Ditch The Straw PDX group has taken action to bring awareness to plastic by campaigning to get rid of straws. When I think of straws, I do not think of an overflow of plastic waste. I think of a clean fresh item to be used for each drink. I mean seriously reused straws can get mold in them! Can they really ever truly be cleaned and reused?
The marketing crew who came up with this campaign hit home. The thought of getting rid of plastic straws is hilarious and has brought awareness worldwide to the plastic problem in our oceans with a humorous statement but a real possibility of getting rid of straws is there. Whatever their plan was, they brought enough awareness in the Portland area that:
"On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, Portland City Council passed a resolution directing the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to develop a strategy to reduce single-use, nonrecyclable plastics, including straws."
The Surfrider Foundation
This company has grown worldwide to help bring awareness to how plastic and other pollutants are harming the oceans. Their value proposition is just that -- to bring awareness. They are a company that is attempting to manage a crisis that is here now and will be here in the future if we don't take action to make changes.
The biggest challenge this company faces is whether or not people care. Plastic is such a prominent part of the world we know, it is going to take a lot of work for them to figure out alternatives. As I said above, the thought for me of using a reusable straw grosses me out!
To close, I feel like the company should focus on a solution to the problem and have a crew of scientists actually figuring out an alternative disposable item, instead of pushing the reusable option. The marketing approach was good. I have seen tons of plastic awareness campaigns and the Ditch the Straw campaign is one that brought so much controversy and discussion that people are actually considering alternatives. Finally, this assignment for me was fun. This is my first blog and opinion of a world problem.
--"Marketing in the News" Blog
