I have been an animal- and nature-lover since I was a little girl. It comes as no surprise to those who know me to know how important the issue of protecting nature is to me.
Living and working in beautiful, coastal Maine is a gift…one we all must not take for granted. Our restaurant is located by the Sheepscot River, where guests sit at picnic tables enjoying their meals and the beautiful view of this working river. We must all do our part to ensure that our “gift” is protected.
Photo courtesy Deborah Gagnon, Red’s Eats
“It is well known that straws, like other plastics, never biodegrade.” Even so, the negative environmental impact of plastic straws may come as a surprise to many, given how small and thin the average straw is.
Millions of straws end up in the ocean, where fish and marine mammals can ingest the plastic. Studies show that an estimated 71 percent of seabirds and 30 percent of turtles have plastic in their stomachs. To see animals imprisoned in plastic and trash is so upsetting to me.
Photo courtesy of Mallory Brooke
It saddens and upsets me to see trash in our oceans, animals imprisoned in plastic and trash, and trash thrown without care all over our land. It saddens me to have to pick trash out of my horse’s baled hay…
I am so proud of and love our beautiful state of Maine. We cannot wait or think that “the other guy” will take care of this problem.we all have to “be the other guy.”
While paper straws may cost a little more, the feel-good emotion you get from a refreshing drink will only get better when you know your straw won’t have a negative impact on the environment.
Red’s Eats will pass out paper straws upon request, but hope that guests opt to drink their beverages, as most of us do at home, without a straw.
We have also purchased stainless steel dog water bowls for our canine guests, instead of using plastic bowls as we have in the past.
We will continue to focus on changing all plastic ware to eco-friendly options. It is our hope that the steps we all take will encourage and promote awareness.
We all have to do our part to be part of the solution.
I truly believe that every little bit we all do will make a difference.
I appreciate and applaud all who work to protect nature.
-Deborah Gagnon
Red’s Eats * Wiscasset, Maine
Excellent, Debbie! Well said. You truly are ahead of the curve and courageous to put Red’s Eats on the forefront of environmentally safe products. Your dad must be beaming with pride. Yes, Red’s Eats going green is a wonderful thing!
Thanks so much Anne!