Local group working towards a "strawless summer"

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)- One local group and dozens of restaurants will go strawless this summer. Supporters said this will help protect the Grand Strand’s 60 miles of beach.

Brian Griffith’s opened Charlie Grainger’s in September 2016. He already doesn’t serve straws unless requested, but still wanted to join the “strand strawless summer” campaign.

“It’s the right thing to do, and I live here and want to protect the beaches and it’s an easy step to take,” said Griffith.

They’re just one of nearly 40 restaurants to join the movement, and you’ll see signs and buttons supporting the campaign all way from Little River to Georgetown.

“We see a lot of people that walk out without straws and don’t use them all. So we’re getting a good response with it,” said Griffith.

The group says unless you need a straw for medical reasons it’s an easy thing to give up.
Scientists say there are nearly 7.5 million plastic straws lying around America’s shorelines.
Plastic is not biodegradable, and that’s why Cathy Tourloukis suggests using paper or bamboo straws.

“They go either in the landfill taking up space or wind up in the ocean harming sea creatures or killing sea creatures, and who knows what we’re doing to our bodies,” said Tourloukis.

Scientists say for every pound of tuna taken out of the ocean, we’re putting two pounds of plastic in the ocean.

“Studies have shown that it is now in our drinking water and both bottled and tap water and I said that’s the last straw,” said Tourloukis.

The group said they hope places will go strawless year round. More restaurants are expected to join. If you want to get involved send a contact Plastic Free Myrtle Beach on their Facebook page.

Here is the current list of restaurants participating:

1. J-Mike’s Flavor Station at the X Gym
2. Cherry Grove Pier
3. The Golden Egg Pancake House SSB
4. Spiro’s Pancake House NMB
5. Pawley’s Island Bakery
6. The Claw House, Murrells Inlet
7. Dead Dog Saloon, Murrells Inlet
8. Benjamin’s Bakery, Surfside Beach
9. Mama Mia Pizzeria and Bar Grissom Ave
10. Beach Dreams Market & Café
11. Brookgreen Gardens
12. The Shack Cherry Grove
13. Ledo Pizza NMB
14. Ocean View Cafe, 2411 S. Ocean Blvd
15. Yacht Basin Eatery Southport NC
16. Firehouse Subs NMB
17. Sam’s Place NMB
18. Golden Griddle Pancake House NMB
19. Old South BBQ NMB
20. Boardwalk Beach Cafe
21. and….
22 .There are two Duffy Street locations: Duffy Street Seafood Shack on Sea Mountain Hwy in Cherry Grove and Duffy Street Seafood Shack on Main Street, Ocean Drive.
23. Rustic Table -Pawley’s
24. BISTRO 217 – Pawley’s
25. Charlie Graingers – C.F.
26.Conch Cafe Garden City
27. Costas Pizza C.F.
28. Hoskins Restaurant NMB
29. Chris’s Pizza and Pub Longs
30. Marcos Pizza C.F.
31. Shawarma Co Med. Grill C.F.
32. Woodhaven Pancake House Myrtle Beach
33. Surfside Cafe and Creamery
34. Damon’s Oceanfront Grill
35. Spring Garden Pancake House on Ocean Blvd.
36. Oliver’s – Conway
37. Nance’s Creek Front Restaurant M.I.