National Skip the Straw Day, observed worldwide, takes place every fourth Friday of February. This annual awareness campaign was launched in 2017 by a group of environmentally conscious high school students from Whitehall, Michigan, known as the Coral Keepers, along with their advisor Susan Tate. The day aims to educate the public about the negative environmental effects of plastic straws, which are commonly made from polypropylene and contribute significantly to pollution, particularly in oceans where they harm marine life. Participants are encouraged to switch to biodegradable or reusable alternatives, organize community cleanup events, and share their efforts on social media using the hashtags #SkipTheStrawDay and #NationalSkipTheStrawDay. The campaign highlights the fact that approximately 500 million plastic straws are used daily in the United States, with most ending up in landfills or as litter, taking about two centuries to decompose completely.