Environmental activist tapes plastic straws to every drink can at local store

Benjamin Rank

19 Aug 2025 — 2 min read

A self-proclaimed environmental crusader's attempt to "expose waste" has backfired spectacularly at a local convenience store.

Store shelves with soda cans covered in taped-on plastic straws

Late Night "Activism" Goes Wrong

The incident happened at Jimmy's Corner Store in Portland, Oregon, where customers arrived Monday morning to find hundreds of plastic straws taped to beverage cans.

Store owner James Martinez couldn't believe his eyes when he opened up shop at 6 AM.

"Someone actually spent hours taping straws to every single can in our coolers. They left a note saying they were 'making waste visible' - but all they did was create more waste and cost us inventory."

Close-up of soda cans with plastic straws taped to their sides

The Costly "Statement"

Security cameras caught the activist entering the store Sunday evening just before closing.

The person spent nearly 45 minutes methodically taping straws to hundreds of beverage containers.

Police estimate the damaged inventory is worth over $1,200.

Backfired Message

The activist left behind a manifesto printed on recycled paper.

They claimed the stunt would "force people to confront their plastic addiction."

Instead, it created an environmental nightmare.

The Real Environmental Impact

Local waste management expert Tom Chen explains the irony of the situation.

"By taping straws to these cans, they've actually made them impossible to recycle. Now hundreds of perfectly recyclable aluminum cans will end up in a landfill."

The activist's identity remains unknown, but their actions have united the community - just not in the way they intended.

The Final Twist

Here's the real kicker: The store had already planned to phase out plastic straws next month.

Martinez had ordered paper alternatives and was preparing to make the switch.

"We care about the environment too," he says. "But vandalism isn't activism - it's just destruction."

Local police are reviewing security footage while the store's insurance company assesses the damage.

Meanwhile, environmental groups have distanced themselves from the incident, calling it "counterproductive" and "misguided."

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