Nearly two dozen Chicago-area restaurants chose to serve drinks last week sans disposable straws in conjunction with a Shedd Aquarium initiative to reduce plastic waste.

Over time, oceans have become the final stop for plastic straws and other debris. According to the World Economic forum, scientists predict that without action, the amount of plastics in oceans will exceed the amount of fish, pound for pound, by 2050.

As an alternative to plastic straws, Shedd recommends reusable straws, such as a glass variety made by the company Strawesome. The company has partnered with the aquarium to offer a discount on its reusable glass straws.

We're in The Bahamas studying #QueenConch right now, but doing our part to #SheddtheStraw by choosing reusable alternatives! #WorldOceansDay pic.twitter.com/r84KhLaIjp

— Shedd Research (@SheddResearch) June 8, 2017

Altogether, 20 restaurants participated in Shedd’s campaign by either not serving straws on June 8 or using biodegradable alternatives, like paper or compostable plastic (see full list of restaurants below).

Additionally, a handful of restaurants have committed to using biogredable straws or only using straws upon request, a Shedd spokesperson said.

Prairie Grass Café in Northbrook announced on Earth Day that it will no longer offer straws to customers unless the customer requests a straw; in that case, the straws will be biodegradable.One North Kitchen & Bar tweeted on World Oceans Day that it has switched over to biodegradable straws.Luke’s Lobster provides straws only on request from customers.Uncommon Ground is working with its staff to provide straws only on request, and eventually hopes to get rid of straws altogether.Shaw’s Crab House and Oyster Bah are also considering switching to a request-only basis for straws.

The following restaurants participated in Shedd's June 8 straw-free day:

Big Star, 1531 N. Damen Ave., ChicagoBrown Bag Seafood Co., 340 E. Randolph St., ChicagoByron's Hot Dogs, 1017 W. Irving Park Road, ChicagoCindy’s Rooftop, 12 Michigan Ave., ChicagoCherry Circle Room, 12 S. Michigan Ave., ChicagoChicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Ave., ChicagoEleven City Diner, 1112 S. Wabash Ave., ChicagoHorse Thief Hollow Brewing Co., 10426 S. Western Ave., ChicagoLuke's Lobster, 134 N. LaSalle St., ChicagoMiss Ricky's, 203 N. Wabash Ave., 1st Floor, ChicagoOne North Kitchen and Bar, 1 North Upper Wacker Drive, ChicagoOyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted St., ChicagoPrairie Grass Café, 601 Skokie Blvd., NorthbrookShaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, and 1900 E. Higgins Road, SchaumburgTokio Pub, 1900 E. Higgins Road, SchaumburgThe Berghoff, 17 W. Adams St., ChicagoUncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave. and 3800 N. Clark St., ChicagoWishbone Restaurant, 1001 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago

Follow Alex Ruppenthal on Twitter:@arupp

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