Watch As Octopus Clings To Plastic Straws In Australia

The octopus clung tightly to its prizes, even after Spark gave the straws a tug to try and free them. Spark and her dive group collected over 300 straws on one trip off the coast of Sydney, Australia.  The video surfaced only weeks after this heartbreaking photo of a seahorse clinging to a plastic Q-tip. Spark started Operation Straw after a leisurely snorkel yielded 319 straws in just 20 minutes. Operation Straw goes out once a week during the summer to collect straws from the beloved yet straw-polluted dive site, Manly Cove.

This graphic video of someone removing a full-size straw from a sea turtle’s nose has been viewed almost 17 million times. It’s often referred to as a catalyst for a straw-free lifestyle, and we couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, that turtle is not alone when it comes to the plastic invasion.

Most animals can’t digest the processed chemicals found in most of our trash. Once they eat it, it’s with them for good, leaching chemicals into their bodies. These bits of plastic can also cause the animal to feel full and eventually starve.

If it’s not medically necessary, ask for no straw whenever you order a drink. You can find several varieties in different colors or sizes, and some come with their own cleaning kit.