STAFFORD, Va. — When Conway Elementary student Lily Tipling started researching the effects of single-use plastics on the environment, she was 'astonished.'
Lily's research taught her about how much plastic animals will eventually end up eating. For her, it was heartbreaking.
"I'm like why should I just sit here and do nothing, so I decided to make a change," she said.
What started out as a school research project, quickly grew into a push to make a change at home.
"As her parents, we weren't exactly the most sustainable people. We aren't really into the environment. She started making an impact with us," said her mom, Jessica Tipling.
That soon turned into wanting to make a bigger change in the community. She decided she would start with plastic straws.
"In our cafeterias they're unnecessary. We use like five at a time to blow bubbles in our milk and stuff. We simply don't need them and they're horrible for the environment," said Lily.
Lily took her concerns to the Stafford County School board. In a letter she read to the board members, she asked them to ban the use of plastic straws in all Stafford County Schools.
A few weeks later, Stafford County Superintendent, Scott Kinzer had a big announcement. Effective May 6, 2019, Stafford County would no longer buy plastic straws.
It's a decision that will save the district $4,000 a year. A decision the fourth-grader behind the effort is proud of.
"I was like wow, if one person can make sure a big difference, imagine what all of us can do together," said Lily.
After Lily spoke to the school board, she took her campaign to social media. Her mom created a Twitter account to help spread the word @LilyTipling.