Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. National Geographic made a video on how helpless it feels to be caught in a plastic bag. Similar fate has met dolphins, seals, cats, dogs, deer and many other animals which got severely cut on their bodies due to plastic bag entanglement. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. Buying a product through my link comes at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend products that I believe in. Each year on two far-flung Australian islands, more than half a million hermit crabs die after becoming trapped inside our plastic waste. The inaccuracy of this number calls into doubt the veracity of the overall case against using plastic straws as a drinking implement. This is the case particularly in Southeast Asia, which has begun to import much of the plastic that used to go to China for recycling. Additionally, plastics in our digestive tract may affect absorption of some important trace elements (like iron) which we need for maintaining proper health [13]. Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. Facebook; Contact Now . Such materials already exist in nature. This way, disabled people can continue to be served, while also reducing the number of plastic straws that we use. To date, around 60 countries and municipalities around the world have instituted plastic bag bans, and additional seven countries are planning to enforce the law in the closest future. Plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds will no longer be sold in Britain as part of a plan to eradicate "avoidable plastic waste" by 2042, and Prime Minister Theresa May actively called on other leaders in the Commonwealth to implement similar policies. Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. Plastics also permeate freshwater systems like rivers and streams. (Photo credit: Shutterstock). Plastic straws shouldn't be banned - The Rubicon For example, some disabled people may not be able to properly hold or pick up a cup, so they need to use straws to drink properly. . 10 Reasons You Should Give Up Plastic Straws - sustainablemotown These costs include the true environmental costs of resource extraction and depletion, the loss of quality of life, economic loss from littering, and wildlife loss. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. A complete ban on plastic straws would harm disabled people, which definitely isnt the goal of such a ban. For wildlife, microplastics can be particularly dangerous; when eaten they can easily accumulate inside an animals body and cause health issues, like punctured organs or fatal intestinal blockages. Ill talk about this more in the next section: By itself, a plastic straw ban is unlikely to have a large impact on the environment. Paper straws are horrible and should be taken out of circulation They are also not biodegradable and cannot be broken down naturally by bacteria and other decomposers into non-toxic materials. Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently. Do plastic straws really make a difference? - Stanford Earth Individual actions can lead to collective actions. This leaves few other alternatives other than plastic straws. 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. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go. Even if you can't go zero waste entirely, it's high time we all ended our reliance on single use plastics. 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. In the spirit of eliminating waste, plastic straws appeared to be a way to further the cause: straws aren't essential to the dining experience, and by banning them, oceans, streets, and general society would theoretically benefit. Those global companies can be important levers in driving change and shifting to a regenerative, circular economy. Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. As communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. CRIDDLE:Cost is a huge issue. Because they are so lightweight, plastic bags get easily picked up by wind and travel long distances by wind and water to pollute the nature. According to the researchers, the turtle likely mistook the straw for food and swallowed it. Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. One recent survey found plastics in 94 percent of tap water samples in the U.S. and in nearly every brand of bottled water. All rights reserved. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned How To Make A Bracelet Out Of Plastic String? Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. Will Shifting to Reusable Straws Really Make a Difference? Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy. Car Recycling: Everything You Need to Know (With Statistics), Sustainable Diving & Snorkeling: How to Prevent Damage to Marine Ecosystems, What Are Microplastics and Why Are They a Concern? They also arent accepted by recycling facilities because they can jam recycling machinery (due to their small size). This includes grocery plastic bags, Ziplock-type bags, dry cleaning bags and bread bags. Will others? 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. 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. It is possible to enhance ones risk of developing cavities by using a straw while consuming liquids that are either sweet or acidic. Required fields are marked *. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. 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]. Read more about us. These microscopic plastic fragments, no more than 5 millimeters long, are hard to detectand are just about everywhere. Coca-Cola makes an estimated 110 billion plastic bottles a year. Tiny plastic particles have been found in human feces. 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. Plastic straws are everywhere we look. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. Stanford experts discuss the limitations of these bans and the potential for meaningful change. The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. You can be sure of one thing, though. They are a part of our modern lives, and we dont tend to think much about them. America Needs a Plastics Intervention. Some companies are taking initiative on their own. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Our addiction to plastic also has negative impacts on the climate. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned - manufacturer, factory Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. Sugar and oils are too expensive. Many of you may have heard it already. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy What to do with plastic bags you already have at home? Its because Asian and US coastlines release large amounts of plastic waste in the ocean [7]. 12 Reasons for Banning Plastic Bags: Plastic Bags Are Made With Non-Renewable Energy Plastic Bags Use Up Lots Of Energy Plastic Bags End Up In The Ocean Beach Plastic Litter Is On The Rise Plastic Bags Kill Millions Of Animals Every Year Plastic Takes A Long Time To Disintegrate Plastic Is Harming The Ocean's Coral Plastic Bags Contain Toxins Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. 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. Due to its chemistry, nothing in nature can make plastic biodegrade. Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. If the environmental movement drew up a Most Unwanted list for 2018, the plastic drinking straw surely would land The majority of this pollutiondominated by single-use plastic wastecomes from countries lacking infrastructure to properly manage waste, particularly in Asia. Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. Thats a promising start. Criddle isdirector of StanfordsCodiga Resource Recovery Center,a member ofStanford Bio-Xand an affiliate of thePrecourt Institute for Energy. Theyve even made their way up to the secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Additionally, a plastic straw ban could also act as a gateway into other single-use plastic bans for items like plastic bottles and plastic bags, which are worse for the environment than plastic straws. According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, microplastics are so small that they move straight through water filtration, Read More What Are Microplastics and Why Are They a Concern? This form of ban could lead to a reduction in landfill across the country, going a long way to protect the nature and serenity of the area. It topped 60 million tons (54.4 million metric tons) in 2010 based on a September 2018 report titled "Plastic Pollution."But China announced it plans to outlaw the production and sale of . An Oregon community is making spectacular statues out of ocean plastic to raise awareness about a crisis at sea. 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. Exposure to microplastics, as well as the chemicals that are added to plastics during processing, harm our health. According to the findings of a study that was carried out in 2019 by students at the University of Washington, 78 percent of respondents used straws made of biodegradable materials that are in compliance with the prohibition, and 68 percent used utensils that are in compliance with the ban. Rating: 5 (913 reviews) Highest rating: 5. This blog covers a variety of topics including plastic pollution, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and much more. The process of drilling for plastics source materials, oil and gas, leads to methane leaking and flaring and is often combined with clearing forests and wetlands that otherwise would have sequestered carbon. No! In fact, it is estimated that up to 10 million plastic bags are used every minute around the world [1]. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. Additionally, someone has to pay the cost of dealing with plastic bags in the waste stream. 82 percent of the responding food service establishments were aware of the prohibition, and 69 percent of those establishments viewed the ban favorably. PLASTIC STRAWS CANT BE BROKEN DOWN BY NATURE. They're not alone. Paper straws cost on average around 2.5 cents ($0.025), whereas plastic straws cost only half a cent ($0.005). Plastic bags are often mistaken for food by animals, birds, and marine life. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. If this happens, there are a few scenarios you can follow: The best thing you can do with those old plastic bags that have been stashed in that overflowing drawer in your kitchen is to recycle them. 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. Many of the chemicals in plastics are known endocrine disruptors,and research has suggested that human exposure could cause health impacts including hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems like infertility, and even cancer. Our reliance on these plastics means we are accumulating waste at a staggering rate. All Rights Reserved. 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. Other country that has decided to enforce the country-wide plastic bag ban after suffering of negative consequences was Mauritania. The reason to worry is that scientists do not know how our metabolism and immunity will react to the increased concentration of plastic particles in our system. But this comes along with many unanswered questions. Or you may need to accept that plastic bag this time and then start campaigning for a plastic bag ban in your area . Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Bags Should Be Banned | IUCN Water While these countries and municipalities have been making strides in their part of reducing circulation of plastic bags, in total there are 195 countries in the world [19] and the issue of plastic pollution is still getting out of our hands. This means that you are not consuming more resources every time you need to carry your groceries home. update email soon. On average, taxpayers end up paying about $88 per year just on plastic bag waste [15]. Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of pollution found on beaches and in oceans all over the world. If you are constantly feeling gassy, then you should definitely consider drinking beverages the old fashioned way. However, I do believe that we should limit our use of plastic straws by asking businesses to only give out straws on request. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. 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. Plastic straws (like most plastic) are non-biodegradable, meaning that it cant be naturally broken down by decomposers. 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. 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. There are numerous reasons why PLA straws are not the right substitute for plastic straws . Ms. LISA PAI . 23 Reasons Why we should ban Plastic Bags | Environment Buddy Quick Navigation for Reasons Why Plastic Shopping Bags Should Be Banned REASONS 1. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Not easy to recycle 7. After all, ask your grandparents, they will remember that during their time people were used to go shopping with their own bags or baskets. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? Heres everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes. 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. Also, giving a speech in . Killing wildlife 5. 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. We've all become too hooked on the availability and comfort of the stuff. 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. Why Are Plastic Straws Bad for the Environment & Should Be Banned A laboratory photograph of microplastics found in the Corsica River in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Maryland, An albatross found dead with a belly full of plastic on Midway Atoll. Nows the Time. Do you also have that overflowing kitchen drawer full of plastic bags you bring from your shopping trips? Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. We hear everywhere around us that we need to save energy. However, one thing we know, is that by introducing a pollutant that may never break down in the environment can have implications that will far exceed any of our predictions. But beyond these impacts, the bans have cultural effects. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned. This means that the average consumption of plastic bags per person dropped from 328 bags per year to just 21 [20]. Driven by public pressure, governments and corporations are considering eliminating or phasing out single-use plastics such as straws. Should Plastic be Banned Essay for Students in English - VEDANTU Look around and you will notice that plastic bags are the most common litter. Unfortunately, such a high level of pollution doesnt come without consequences. Do you wonder why? The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. In this essay on should plastic be banned, it is very important to put forth the fact that there are many bodies of health and environmental governance around the world who argue that plastic ban can be problematic stating the following reasons-. Animals living in the ocean might frequently confuse the plastic for food. Which brings us to the second part. The decrease in demand for plastic bags forces manufacturers to reduce their production and consider expanding in a supply of alternative products. Hi, Im Hugh, and my mission with Get Green Now is to raise awareness of environmental issues and teach people how to live sustainably. 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.
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