Operation Straw started as a clean-up initiative designed to tackle the prolific amount of plastic found in Manly Cove.
Manly Cove in Sydney, Australia is a hotspot for plastic pollution, and in particular, straws.
In Summer 2018, volunteers from across the Northern Beaches gathered every Saturday morning to jump in the ocean for a Strawkle (that’s a snorkel for straws). The aim of these underwater clean-ups was to get single-use plastic straws ditched across Australia.
In just 12 weeks, volunteers collected more than 2,000 plastic straws from the area. The findings from the project helped to inspire more than forty businesses in the local area to say 'see-ya' to single-use plastic straws.
Since then, we’ve run over 100 events with hundreds of volunteers.
Operation Straw was originally designed to be a 3-month campaign. What we did not anticipate was the incredible community that would form around Strawkelling.
Now, Operation Straw exists to inspire people to hop in the ocean and conduct underwater clean-ups of their local areas.
We believe in thinking global and acting local.
By helping foster a community through fun events, we can empower people to get out there and chat to their favourite bars and cafes about switching from straws and other plastics. All while getting some salt water therapy and pulling rubbish out of the ocean.
Get involved
Attend a Strawkle
Find out about our upcoming events.
Host a Strawkle
All the info you need to run your own event.
Take Action
Learn what you can do to help the ocean, from above the ocean.
We’re a crew of ocean-lovers dedicated to leaving the ocean better than we found it.
Photo by Rosie Leaney
Our mascot
On one of our very first Strawkles, we found this gloomy octopus in Manly Cove, clutching straws in his tentacles. There is nothing more devastating than seeing wildlife caught in a problem of our making. Our logo incorporates our octopus friend, with straws for tentacles, as a reminder of the impact our choices can have on marine life.
