By 2030, CEO James Quincey has pledged to use 50 percent recycled material in its bottles and cans and recycle one bottle or can. JIM LEAPE: Our oceans are currently swimming with plastics. Companies are trying to sell communities on a toxic solution to the plastic pollution crisis. (Everything You Need To Know)Continue, Many restaurants have banned plastic straws due to their harmful effects on the environment, and have switched to paper alternatives instead. Once in the ocean, plastic pollution is extremely dangerous to marine life, and plastic straws are no exception. 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. Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. Plastic straws shouldn't be banned - The Rubicon Criddle isdirector of StanfordsCodiga Resource Recovery Center,a member ofStanford Bio-Xand an affiliate of thePrecourt Institute for Energy. India, for example, generates 25,940 tons of plastic waste every day but collects only 60 percent of it. Will others? Hi, Im Hugh, and my mission with Get Green Now is to raise awareness of environmental issues and teach people how to live sustainably. Instead of searching for another buyer, maybe some soul-searching is in order. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Such is the case with many environmental crises: the worst effects are pushed onto overburdened communities with the fewest resources to fight back. There are numerous reasons why PLA straws are not the right substitute for plastic straws . The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. If environmental zealots and sycophants get their way, you won't be allowed to sip it through a plastic straw. Without further due, here are the top 3 ways kids can help, Read More 3 Ways Kids can Help the EarthContinue, What Are Microplastics? Single-Use Plastics 101 | NRDC It is estimated that there are now 150 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean. You probably already saw the video, but if you didnt, you can watch it below (WARNING: Graphic Content): Supporters of plastic straw bans claim that the ban will help reduce our use of single-use plastics. Tangled in trees and fences along roads, floating in water, lying on the ground in parks and forests, surrounding garbage bins, washed off on beaches. These actions are a response to calls for change and shifting consumer habits. Why are Plastic Straws Bad and What are the Alernatives? The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. Not easy to recycle 7. Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. National Geographic made a video on how helpless it feels to be caught in a plastic bag. According to the researchers, the turtle likely mistook the straw for food and swallowed it. Therefore, a plastic straw ban by itself is unlikely to be very effective in actually helping the environment, although it could act as a gateway into the reduction of other single-use plastics. Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Scientists have recorded some species of zooplankton eating tiny plastic particles. There are some great initiatives that strive to provide jobs for women in rural communities with limited possibilities of securing monthly income. 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]. We should just stick to plastic. Communities with good awareness about negative impacts of plastic bags have been more successful at enforcing the ban [20]. Participate in beach or river cleanups. Criddle and Leape are also senior fellows at theStanford Woods Institute for the Environment. How Plastic Bottles Become Death Traps for Hermit Crabs. InCalifornia, a bill to ban straws unless requested at dine-in restaurants is awaiting a signature from the governor. There is only one requirement these plastic bags need to be dry and clean, otherwise they contaminate the entire batch and your effort will do more harm than good. Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. And recent studies found plastic in the guts of 90 percent of the seabirds tested and 100 percent of the turtles. The consumed plastic congests the digestive tracts of these animals, and can lead to health issues such as infections, painful intestinal blockage, starvation or death by suffocation. Paper straws cannot be recycled in any way. Problematic degradation 4. Left alone, plastics dont really break down; they just break up. The cashier usually understands, only had to do what instructed and what most customers expect (unfortunately) from him or her. Thats bad news for our carbon reduction goals: if plastic production continues unabated, its greenhouse gas emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030equal to adding nearly 300 new coal-fired power plantseven as the need to curb global climate change becomes more urgent. Now, lets get into the negatives of a plastic straw ban: While banning plastic straws might help the environment in some aspects (well talk about this later), there are also many reasons against (or cons) of a plastic straw ban. If we ban single-use plastic straws we will have to turn to the dangerous alternatives.In source In the United States, California has banned single-use plastic bags in 2016, but the city of San Francisco has locally issued this ban already in 2012 and consumers pay a little fee for other alternatives like compostable bags or recycled paper bags. Look for another place that does accept or use alternative packaging, such as small local stores that use paper wraps or compostable bags. Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs. Items made of plastic that come into contact with food can be recycled, whereas products made of paper that absorb both food and garbage cannot. And will a plastic straw ban actually be effective when it comes to saving our oceans and environment? Individual actions can lead to collective actions. 8 good reasons to give up plastic straws - CareElite the eight worst source of ocean plastic pollution, Impact of Plastic Bags on the Environment, non-renewable fossil fuel-based resources, Plastic Bag Degradation: What You Should Know, Serious Effects of Plastic Pollution on Human Health. At the beginning of July 2018, Seattle became the largest U.S. city to ban plastic straws. Straws have been found stuck in a sea turtle's nose and wedged in the stomachs of dead birds and dolphins. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. Starbucks recently announced that it would phase out use of plastic straws by the year 2020. A plastic straw ban could be a good step in the right direction, but we must use less single-use products overall to actually help the environment. Stanford Reportspoke withJim Leape, co-director of theStanford Center for Ocean Solutions, andCraig Criddle, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, about the path to reducing ocean plastic pollution. It is possible to enhance ones risk of developing cavities by using a straw while consuming liquids that are either sweet or acidic. According to market research firms, Americans use about 350 million plastic straws every single day. Communities and consumers can play vital roles in sparking action. Greenwashing Alert: Chemical Recycling Isnt Actually Recycling. Well, lets have a look at the most important reasons why single-use plastic bags should be banned right now. NRDCs Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans. Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? | Persuasive Writing | Scholastic Coca-Cola has said that it alone produces three million tons of plastic packaging each year, equivalent to a terrifying 200,000 plastic bottles per minute. 1 producer of plastic waste in the world. Also, giving a speech in . Accompanied by high social accountability and musical garbage trucks, that strategy has proved wildly effective: the island now reports recycling rates above 50 percent. The Pasig River in the Philippines is another scary example of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment. Well, before putting it into the laundry basket, take a look at it closely. 10 Reasons You Should Give Up Plastic Straws - sustainablemotown In addition, despite the fact that the FDA has deemed this to be safe for consumption, chemicals from the plastic may seep into liquids, releasing substances that have the potential to influence estrogen levels. Considering what important source of food plankton is for many other species, it is clear that plastic gets distributed across the marine ecosystem. BY Rob Jordan, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, As Colorado River wanes, water supplies and ecosystems hang in the balance, Riverfront forest restoration can deliver outsized benefits, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, An AI solution to climate models gravity wave problem, Beavers will become a bigger boon to river water quality as U.S. West warms. Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? [Pros & Cons of a Straw Ban] Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy. There were numerous cases of birds caught in plastic bags, unable to fly and feed, eventually strangling themselves to death. We do not know the full impact of microplastics exceeding the mass of plankton in the ocean. Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. Another example of a locally issued ban is Seattle where not only single-use plastic bags have been banned but also single-use compostable and biodegradable bags. update email soon. More and more states are looking to pass a new kind of recycling law that asks manufacturers to foot the bill for the waste created by their products. And Starbucks, which uses an estimated one billion plastic straws per year, is phasing them out in favor of paper ones. Alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper, may not always be effective for disabled people: paper can be bitten through or broken easily. In fact, the global backlash against plastic straws likely started after researchers off the coast of Costa Rica shared a viral video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck up its nose. This is because the customers voluntarily reduce their consumption of plastic bags, which in turn provides enough time for retailers to find suitable alternatives and switch to them. They end up in the water, eaten by wildlife, and inside our bodies. A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. 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. In 2008, a crocodile in Australia died because of 25 plastic bags filling its stomach [11]. Oene Moedt-Foto Natura/Minden via National Geographic Images, Major Corporations and Single-Use Plastics, secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and research has suggested that human exposure, 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic, one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector, could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030, an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines. They prevent millions of tons of plastic from entering the waste stream each year. Using a straw directs a concentrated stream of liquid onto a localized area of the teeth, which can cause the enamel to wear away and lead to dental disease. It may not seem like much, but when you imagine how many bags they have to provide throughout a year, you will quickly realize that plastic bags are costly. What is the root of the problem (consumers or municipal waste management)? Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go. No! Theyre in about a quarter of the seafood in our markets, and even in table salt. This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as time and place elements, style, and grammar); you cant resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you cant republish our material wholesale or automaticallyyou need to select stories individually; you can't republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should drop us a note to let us know when youve used one of our stories. Many of you may have heard it already. Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. Then, you should try to explain your reasons for not wanting your products packed in plastic bags. Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. McDonald's recently announced . New and sustainable business models are needed to address the current plastic deluge and also to enable a new generation of sustainable materials and technologies. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. (Its also important to remember that waste management is just one part of the global materials cycle. It also took 100% of those plastic grocery bags out of the recycling system, where they bound up machinery and increased costs. And when it comes to waste that lasts forever, every ton counts. Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. 2. Polypropylene is a form of plastic that is frequently used in the production of straws. 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. Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. On other issues, from overfishing to deforestation, we have seen that consumer-facing companies like McDonalds, Unilever and Walmart can be exquisitely sensitive to the concerns of their customers. Thoughtful laws are needed to control the problem and at the same time encourage innovation. Even when you dont see it, these indestructible particles are everywhere around us, including in the food chain. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. Greentumble is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Your email address will not be published. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The decrease in demand for plastic bags forces manufacturers to reduce their production and consider expanding in a supply of alternative products. Manufacturers began replacing traditionally paper or glass staples with lighter or more durable and affordable plastic alternatives; plastic jugs replaced milk jars, for instance. Microplastics are plastic debris that measures less than five millimetres, or 0.2 inches, in diameter. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Most drop-off collection points accept plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (plastic number 2) and low-density polyethylene (plastic number 4). You as an individual have the power to make a gradual change in your community. Nearly 20 years ago, a dead pelican was found with its stomach filled with 17 plastic bags [10]. In many instances, it may seem too awkward for you to refuse the bag, so you accept it this one time, but you should know that it is fine to say no politely even at this stage if you dont want that bag. These steps are pretty straight forward and depend on your own initiative. Plastic straws are everywhere we look. 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. We need to make fully biodegradable polymers that are cost-competitive. Spare Yourself the Guilt Trip This Earth DayIts Companies That Need to Clean Up Their Acts, These Fanciful Sea Creatures Were Carried in on the Tide. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned - manufacturer, factory The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. You cannot recycle them in the regular curbside collection of plastic, but you should be able to find many larger food stores and retailers (for example: Target, Walmart, Tesco, Morrisons, etc.) Required fields are marked *. Simply, refuse them when offered and bring your own reusable bag when shopping. For example, a reusable jute bag should last at least 4 years, during which it can prevent the use of 600 single-use plastic bags. Most of it is either dumped in landfills or ends up in the ocean. Another indirect danger of plastic bags has breeding ground in the pollution they create. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. According to a study carried out in 2013, up to 35 percent of turtle deaths were caused by plastic ingestion and the probability that sea turtles will consume even more plastic increases every year [9]. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection We will How can you help to ban plastic bags in your area? The small pilot whale, found in a Thai canal this past June, is another symptom of a crisis in the worlds oceans. In the United States alone, statistics reach up to 12 million barrels of oil that are used each year to produce even more plastic bags 100 billion more, to give you the precise number [5]. One recent survey found plastics in 94 percent of tap water samples in the U.S. and in nearly every brand of bottled water. Refineries where crude oil is turned into plastic make up one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector. Then, they have a propensity to break down into microplastics, which then clutter the ecosystems in question. Do you also have that overflowing kitchen drawer full of plastic bags you bring from your shopping trips? However, as an environmental enthusiast, heres what I think about this ban. As a result, the actual recycling rate for plastic bags globally is between 5 to 15 percent, while in the United States it makes only 1 percent a year [17]. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. There are definitely differing opinions on whether or not plastic straws should be banned. Plastic bags are often mistaken for food by animals, birds, and marine life. Plastic bags are everywhere. The majority of this pollutiondominated by single-use plastic wastecomes from countries lacking infrastructure to properly manage waste, particularly in Asia. by TFK Kid Reporter Maria Suarez, 10 Bellaire, Texas Plastic straws should not be banned until we can find alternatives that are affordable, environmentally friendly, and acceptable for disabled people. In Ireland, where this fee was instituted in 2002, plastic bag usage decreased by about 90 percent. CRIDDLE:We need to think about what incentives will promote a culture of recycling and innovation with respect to waste streams. PLASTIC STRAWS CANT BE BROKEN DOWN BY NATURE. Most plastic straws are made from harsh chemicals making them impossible to reuse or recycle. And cracker plantswhich break, or crack, ethane molecules, a component of natural gas, into the chemical building blocks of plastic productsare energy intensive and highly polluting. They are tinier than a palm of your hand and appear so fragile when struggling across the beach to make it to the sea. edinburgh airport address. The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step, offering a natural place to start with low-hanging fruit so long as its part of a much more fundamental shift away from single-use plastics across the value chains of these companies and our economy. You need to know what effects plastic bags have on the environment and health. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. Es gratis registrarse y presentar tus propuestas laborales. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned Buying a product through my link comes at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend products that I believe in. 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 Forty years after the launch of the first universal recycling symbol, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. 10 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. They contribute to the contamination of our landfills and seas when they are discarded after use. You can be sure of one thing, though. But this comes along with many unanswered questions. Yeah I end up going through like 5 paper straws because they keep disintegrating and I can't drink my drink anymore. And the recent fracking boom, resulting in a surplus of oil, is fueling a subsequent rise in cracker plants, too. You should examine what alternatives are available and whether local retailers, who often operate with a limited monthly budget, have the ability to make the switch. This ban has led to an increase in the demand for sustainable plastic alternatives and has also created space for several plant-based materials in the market. A complete ban on plastic straws would harm disabled people, which definitely isnt the goal of such a ban. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. We produce 300 million tons of plastic each year worldwide, half of which is for single-use items. 2. 13.07.2022 Harry Brown THE TOP 10 REASONS TO DO NOT USE THE STRAW O This requires the usage of 500 million straws Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful Every day in the United States. Plastic, in general, is one of the biggest pollutants in the world. Plastic bags. 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]. The bottom line of any plastic ban is that we must use less single-use plastics overall. The single biggest reason why people want to ban plastic straws is because of their negative effects on the environment.