10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned

Straws, Ives says, made the perfect target: too inconsequential to really be missed but so ubiquitous that their absence would be noticed. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. Quick Navigation for Reasons Why Plastic Shopping Bags Should Be Banned, [1] https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf, [2] https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/getting-rid-of-plastic-bags-a-windfall-for-supermarkets-but-it-wont-do-much-for-the-environment/, [3] https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/2018/04/09/plastic-chokes-dhakas-drainage/, [4] https://1bagatatime.com/learn/plastic-bags-petroleum/, [5] https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2935417&page=1, [6] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-waste-pollution-trash-crisis/, [7] https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/10/12/124006/pdf, [8] https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/rare-sea-turtles-eating-plastic-at-record-rate, [9] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cobi.12126, [10] http://www.prijatelji-zivotinja.hr/index.en.php?id=934, [11] http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2008/12/plastic-bags-and-animals-making-the-wild-safe-for-wildlife/, [12] http://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6374/460, [13] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/22/microplastics-found-in-human-stools-for-the-first-time, [14] https://1bagatatime.com/learn/plastic-bag-clean-costs/, [15] http://www.bagmonster.com/2010/04/the-true-cost-of-single-use-bags.html, [16] http://www.cep.unep.org/cep-documents/unep-press-release-on-the-effects-of-plastic-waste-on-marine-ecosystems.pdf, [17] https://greentumble.com/can-plastic-bags-be-recycled/, [18] https://1bagatatime.com/learn/plastic-bag-clean-costs/, [19] https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-countries-are-in-the-world.html, [20] https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf. Hi, Im Hugh, and my mission with Get Green Now is to raise awareness of environmental issues and teach people how to live sustainably. Such changes could have outsized benefits for vulnerable populations that rely on rivers for their water supply. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. Not easy to recycle 7. "To us, it was the 'gateway plastic' to the larger, more . All rights reserved. Well, before putting it into the laundry basket, take a look at it closely. Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. Look around and you will notice that plastic bags are the most common litter. The phthalate DEHP, as just one example from dozens, is often added to plastic goods like shower curtains and garden hoses to make them more flexiblebut was also found to be a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, in 2014, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) supported the first project to calculate the real cost of plastic, including adverse environmental impacts of its production, use and disposal. Rating: 5 (913 reviews) Highest rating: 5. Theyve even made their way up to the secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. The first answer to this question that comes to everyones mind is to stop using plastic bags, right? NRDCs Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans. Single-Use Plastics 101 | NRDC Considering what important source of food plankton is for many other species, it is clear that plastic gets distributed across the marine ecosystem. These examples could go on for a long time. The resulting number is staggering. At the beginning of July 2018, Seattle became the largest U.S. city to ban plastic straws. Its Plastic Incineration. Then, you should try to explain your reasons for not wanting your products packed in plastic bags. Then, they have a propensity to break down into microplastics, which then clutter the ecosystems in question. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. It has been projected that, if current trends continue, by 2050 the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish. This type of plastic is derived from petroleum. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. 2. By being aware about these issues, you will be ready to present some strong arguments why plastic bags should be banned in your area and answer questions of people who will become your ally if you will persuade them about your good intentions. 'Banning plastic straws will not be enough': The fight to clean the oceans 10 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned This means that you are not consuming more resources every time you need to carry your groceries home. Due to its chemistry, nothing in nature can make plastic biodegrade. However, I do believe that we should limit our use of plastic straws by asking businesses to only give out straws on request. Not only is plastic estimated to kill millions of marine animals and seabirds each year, but its also contaminating seafood that humans have relied on for millennia, particularly with microplastics in animals guts. Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in. Leape has long been a leader in ocean conservation efforts. Divers, for example, descend 130 feet under the water, seek unique-looking creatures, and observe the marine world in all its glory. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. The country instituted the ban in 2013 to minimize livestock deaths. What Are Single-use Plastics and Should They Be Banned? Thanks for signing up. In New York, 23 billion plastic bags are used by residents each year. If the environmental movement drew up a Most Unwanted list for 2018, the plastic drinking straw surely would land Starting in the 1960s, plastic straw manufacturing took off. They prevent millions of tons of plastic from entering the waste stream each year. As a result, the ban will reduce the number of plastic straws polluting the ocean. Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. For example, in Botswana, the consumption of plastic bags dropped by 50 percent after the introduction of the tax in 2007. As communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. And will a plastic straw ban actually be effective when it comes to saving our oceans and environment? By comparison, an estimated 46 percent of all pollution in the ocean is made up of lost or abandoned fishing gear (Vox). Most drop-off collection points accept plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (plastic number 2) and low-density polyethylene (plastic number 4). In fact, plastic bags are considered by many recycling facilities the number one contaminant and their removal from the recycling stream costs municipalities close to $1 million a year [18]. Some companies are taking initiative on their own. In early January 2020, China joined the growing movement of more than 120 countries pledging to ban single-use plastics.The country of 1.4 billion citizens is the No. What does occur in most instances is that when out in the environment, the plastic breaks up into tiny microscopic pieces that get deposited in soils (where we grow food) or contaminate waterways. Straws don't provide as much utility as bags, so for many this is an easy adjustment. The answer isnt as simple as you may think: While its true that paper straws arent as harmful as plastic straws, this doesnt mean that, Read More Paper vs. And, if you dont like wearing the same shirt or pants, Read More Dont wash it if it doesnt look dirtyContinue, At age 50, Kay is a little over halfway through her life as a driver. Marine animals bear the burden of this influx of garbage into their habitats. The single biggest reason why people want to ban plastic straws is because of their negative effects on the environment. Killing wildlife 5. Greenwashing Alert: Chemical Recycling Isnt Actually Recycling. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. Look for another place that does accept or use alternative packaging, such as small local stores that use paper wraps or compostable bags. Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. This strategy has been adopted by some countries and municipalities so far and has proven to greatly reduce plastic bag usage by consumers. Plastic waste, mostly broken down into tiny particles, floats in huge blobs amid ocean current patterns called gyres that together cover as much as 40 percent of Earths ocean surface. For most, straws are not a necessity, but a convenience. LEAPE:There are two clear imperatives. The manufacturing of reusable bags or compostable alternatives to plastic bags offers a new opportunity to create sustainable products and provide jobs that go with them. Instead of searching for another buyer, maybe some soul-searching is in order. You are free to have your own personal opinion on whether or not we should ban plastic straws. For example, millions of discarded plastic bags clog water drainage channels and sewers in urban areas of Bangladesh. What can I do for you? 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned - maktabyar.org In fact, I just listed many reasons and points in this article that support both sides of the argument. One of the most significant negative effects that plastic bags have on the natural world is that it takes a very long time for them to degrade.In addition, the breakdown of plastic bags in the sun results in the release of hazardous compounds into the surrounding soil, and the combustion of plastic bags results in the release of a poisonous material into the surrounding air, contributing to the problem of ambient air pollution. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our world today. Using these non-renewable resources to make plastic bags is very short-sighted, considering that the typical useful life of each plastic bag is about 12 minutes and that the worlds oil reserves contain enough oil to cover our needs through 2050, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates. Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. | | These dyes on their own can leach toxins, but they can also be contaminated with traces of heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, both of which affect kidney health and proper functioning of other organs. And Starbucks, which uses an estimated one billion plastic straws per year, is phasing them out in favor of paper ones. Some experts estimate that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site may be referral or affiliate links. Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. Plastic waste that clogs water drainage channels and river tributaries of many Asian cities increases exposure of residents to water-borne diseases, as it creates a toxic soup that remains stranded in one place for prolonged periods of time. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Your email address will not be published. Buy in bulk. Sugar and oils are too expensive. Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. You can be sure of one thing, though. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Companies are trying to sell communities on a toxic solution to the plastic pollution crisis. They store these polymers inside their cells as tiny granules. It is estimated that there are now 150 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean. China 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned Manufacturers, Supply 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned with High Quality, Wholesale 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned with Low Price, High Quality. CRIDDLE:Cost is a huge issue. Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. An outright ban on plastic straws would create an accessibility problem for disabled people while dining in public. Starbucks plans to phase out plastic straws by 2020. When the monsoon rains start, streets get waterlogged just after the first few minutes because the water cannot pass through clogged sewerage pipes. Straws make up roughly 4 percent of the plastic waste in terms of the number of pieces, but a far smaller percentage in terms of the weight.Due to the fact that the typical weight of a straw is just around one sixty-seventh of an ounce, or 42 grams, the total weight of all those billions of straws combined only accounts for roughly 2,000 tons of the almost 9 million tons of plastic debris that enters the sea each year. Driven by public pressure, governments and corporations are considering eliminating or phasing out single-use plastics such as straws. They are a part of our modern lives, and we dont tend to think much about them. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go. Thats a promising start. The majority of plastic bags are made of polyethylene, a substance that is derived from crude oil refining and natural gas processing. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. You can share this article on social media by using the share buttons below. We can also decrease costs through improved bioprocessing methods, through metabolic engineering and by exploring and harnessing the incredible diversity of bioplastic-making systems that evolution has already created. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. Plastic straws have an especially high propensity to end up in our rivers after being thrown away. A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. Additionally, someone has to pay the cost of dealing with plastic bags in the waste stream. (Photo credit: Shutterstock). Plastic, in general, is one of the biggest pollutants in the world. The following are ten lines on why plastic bags need to be prohibited: 1) The careless disposal of trash in plastic bags leads to an increase in litter.2) The use of plastic bags contributes to the depletion of our natural resources, including water, trees, and agricultural products.3) Because of the danger it causes to marine life, the total Problematic degradation 4. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. For those governments that are opposed to full bans on plastic bags, another option is to institute a plastic bag tax, where consumers or retailers would pay a small fee for each plastic bag. Plastic bags and plastic products overall contain substances that are harmful to our health. Polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most commonly recycled plastics and the material that makes up most water and soda bottles, can be turned into everything from polyester fabric to automotive parts. The small pilot whale, found in a Thai canal this past June, is another symptom of a crisis in the worlds oceans. We will 1 producer of plastic waste in the world. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. A straw with our iced coffee, a plastic bag to carry our takeout, a wrapper on a candy bar: taken individually, each seems harmless. For many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. Here are a few more tips for ridding your life (and your community) of single-use plastics for good. It also took 100% of those plastic grocery bags out of the recycling system, where they bound up machinery and increased costs. Carrying reusable bags and bottles is one great way to avoid single-use plastics in our day-to-day lives; more on preventing plastic waste can be found below. According to estimates made by scientists, there are 7.5 million polluting straws around the shores of the United States, and anywhere from 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws throughout the coastlines of the rest of the globe. Come with external costs 9. We shouldnt ban plastic straws if it creates an accessibility issue. Microplastics were found in soft drinks like Coca Cola, in tap water, in seafood It has contaminated our food chain, so it should not surprise us that it can be tracked in our body. McDonalds swapped its plastic straws for paper at its United Kingdom and Ireland restaurants. Made from petroleum products, Baekland's " bakelite " plastic was a revolutionary material. For many of us it is hard to imagine that something as small as a plastic bag can actually cause flooding, but residents of some cities in Bangladesh have been struggling with this problem every monsoon season for the past two decades [3]. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option. What about you? These steps are pretty straight forward and depend on your own initiative. National Geographic made a video on how helpless it feels to be caught in a plastic bag.