Carpe Diem Maldives is working together with Loliware to bring the worlds first biodegradable and edible straw to the Maldives. 

Its widely claimed there are enough plastic straws to wrap around the Earths circumference 2.5 times each day. Because they are so small, most straws are not recycled and usually end up in landfills and waterways, where they linger indefinitely, harming wildlife, and marring the natural beauty.

According to Carpe Diem Maldives manufacturing begins this month to create the healthy and refreshing straw that can be eaten or composted after being used. Made to disappear and designed to have the same functionality expected of a plastic straw, Lolistraw will last for up to 8 hrs in a beverage and will have a shelf life of up to 24 months.

The founders of LOLIWARE and the straws designers, Chelsea Briganti and Leigh Ann Tucker, have coined the term "hyper-compostable" to convey that all of their products, including Lolistraw, will break down at the same rate as food waste in compost or the natural environment, such as a waterway.

Made from a new seaweed-based material, the initial texture is like plastic but can be created with a flavour or with added nutrients. On Carpe Diem Cruises and at the upcoming resort, the chosen lime flavour will add to the experience when sipping a cocktail, a simple glass of water or a refreshing coconut juice.

For those who do not want to eat the straw, it is also compostable and marine degradable. Unlike another material often used for compostable utensils–PLA, which is usually made from corn starch–Loliware breaks down quickly, so it can be composted in a home system rather than requiring industrial composting equipment. If the seaweed-based straw happens to end up in the ocean, it will dissolve, which is excellent news for the pristine waters of the Maldives, and any unassuming hungry marine life that might swim by.

"Were not telling the consumer, hey, you cant have your straw. Were providing them with a solution to the plastic straw crisis while also giving them a fun experience on top of that." Says Chelsea Briganti.

"Its not about the consumer sacrificing anymore, and its about the consumer having fun and being sustainable at the same time. Some bioplastics just break down into smaller pieces, whereas Lolistraw is designed to disappear literally."

The Maldives is surrounded 99% by the ocean, straddles the equator and is home to some of the worlds most precious coral reefs and marine life. Considerations towards protecting the environment are an essential influencer in all business decisions for Carpe Diem Maldives Pvt Ltd.

"In ten years of operating our dive safari cruises across The Maldives, were always looking for ways to reduce our waste footprint. For example, weve never had one-time use bottles on our boats. Each guest receives a durable plastic water bottle that they take home with them."Describes Agnes van Linden, Assistant Managing Director of Carpe Diem Maldives Pvt Ltd.

"When we were looking last year for new sustainable solutions to bring to our upcoming resort, I came across the Lolistraw project on Kickstarter. The management team and I carefully researched all the information, and we all knew it was a winner. We had to seize the day and the opportunity, like our company name, while at the same time supporting this great innovation get off the ground."

Carpe Diem Maldives is just one of two main Lolistraw Launch Partners from the Kickstarter project, with close to 1000 other smaller donation supporters.

Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport, or a 20-minute flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport in Baa Atoll combined with a 25-minute speedboat ride. Full-board room rates accommodating two adults and two children, or 3 adults, start from USD899 per villa, per night, and for solo travellers in a shared twin-bed Over Water Pool Villa from USD450. The resort is already accepting bookings for stays from 1st June 2018 onwards.

 Established in 2008 Carpe Diem Maldives Pvt Ltd. showcases a collection of luxury liveaboard cruises and is currently expanding its operations in the Maldives with a new 115-room pool villa resort in the northern Raa Atoll, scheduled to open 1st June 2018. Carpe Diem is renowned for delivering a sense of discovery, adventure and always with expertise that enriches our guests knowledge and time with us.

 The Carpe Diem name has built significant brand recognition within the top echelons of the travel industry for diving & leisure, and the current portfolio includes three high-end liveaboard cruises, each catering 20 guests at a time.  With the expansion into resorts, Carpe Diem is one of the unique and only hospitality brands in the Maldives to offer both liveaboard cruises and resort stays.