Post date: 18 yesterday. Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option. Plastic, in general, is one of the biggest pollutants in the world. Instead, you are actually reusing a product, and that means that you are utilizing earths resources smartly, while at the same time reducing waste. Problematic degradation 4. Since the 1950s, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced, and half of that in the past 15 years alone. The subtropical gyres of the North Pacific Ocean are also documented to contain the highest concentrations of plastic. Disney is eliminating single-use plastic straws and stirrers at all its theme parks, resorts and properties. A last example of a true horror caused by plastic has been discovered just recently. The first country to ban single-use plastic bags was Bangladesh in 2002 when plastic bag litter clogged drainage channels and contributed to destructive floods. 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. Plastic bags are often mistaken for food by animals, birds, and marine life. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. As for reusable straws, they arent flexible as plastic ones and can be easily forgotten at home. 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. How? The majority of plastic bags are made of polyethylene, a substance that is derived from crude oil refining and natural gas processing. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. 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. Plastic is not the largest contributor of pollution and the . Once a person gets into the habit of bringing reusable bags when shopping, it is not much of an inconvenience at all. 82 percent of the responding food service establishments were aware of the prohibition, and 69 percent of those establishments viewed the ban favorably. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. We need to make fully biodegradable polymers that are cost-competitive. In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. Not only does the waste destroy the land itself, but when plastic is incinerated (as is the case for unrecyclable plastic at some illegal facilities) its toxic fumes quickly become a health hazard for residents, leading to everything from skin rashes to cancer. We should do likewise. Without further due, here are the top 3 ways kids can help, Read More 3 Ways Kids can Help the EarthContinue, What Are Microplastics? As part of the Break Free From Plastic movement, Greenpeace volunteers conducted an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines, sifting through tens of thousands of individual pieces across 42 countries to identify the pollutions sources. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. 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. 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]. Made from fossil fuels 3. Thoughtful laws are needed to control the problem and at the same time encourage innovation. 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. Animals living in the ocean might frequently confuse the plastic for food. (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. 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. By comparison, an estimated 46 percent of all pollution in the ocean is made up of lost or abandoned fishing gear (Vox). The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. So, plastic waste only speeds up the destruction of these most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. 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. What never leaves, Read More Sustainable Diving & Snorkeling: How to Prevent Damage to Marine EcosystemsContinue, Top 3 Ways Kids can Help the Earth! We've all become too hooked on the availability and comfort of the stuff. It started with cardboard straws, but once plastic production in America increased, people realized it was quicker and cheaper to produce plastic straws. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. Additionally, plastics in our digestive tract may affect absorption of some important trace elements (like iron) which we need for maintaining proper health [13]. Or you may need to accept that plastic bag this time and then start campaigning for a plastic bag ban in your area . keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. This measure should encourage people to switch to reusable alternatives. They store these polymers inside their cells as tiny granules. India, for example, generates 25,940 tons of plastic waste every day but collects only 60 percent of it. If it looks clean, smells clean (and sounds clean! These steps are pretty straight forward and depend on your own initiative. They're not alone. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. That is why the United Nations Environmental Programme Secretariat has recommended a ban on all plastic bags globally. It is good for our environment, health and global climate. This amount of marine life, which includes fish and turtles, is sufficient to fill 125 school buses. Most drop-off collection points accept plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (plastic number 2) and low-density polyethylene (plastic number 4). Sugar and oils are too expensive. Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. An additional problem with plastic grocery bags recycling is their cleanliness. A 2017 Environmental Sciences and Technology study reported that up to 95 percent of plastic waste enters oceans from one of 10 riverseight in Asia and two in Africa. They suspect that it may add stress on the liver by introducing more pathogens into the body. Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative, submitting an op-ed to your citys newspaper, or simply starting conversations with neighbors. 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. A 2018 study of coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific has confirmed that plastic waste deposited on coral reefs promotes outbreaks of diseases that gradually destroy whole reef colonies [12]. You can be sure of one thing, though. There are many uses for plastic that are not only reasonable but important, such as surgical gloves, or straws for people with disabilities. Participate in beach or river cleanups. 5 Metals in your Home that can be Recycled for Cash, How exactly bidets offer a healthier, green option for your bathroom, A Closer Look at General Motors (GM) Sustainability Initiatives. Those global companies can be important levers in driving change and shifting to a regenerative, circular economy. These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. This includes waste collection, regular cleanups to remove plastic bag litter along the roads or blown away from landfills and then even processing at landfill sites. All Rights Reserved. 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. Prior the ban, 70 percent of livestock losses were attributed to plastic bag ingestion. Read more about us. Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. Straws don't provide as much utility as bags, so for many this is an easy adjustment. 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. For the oceans sake, wed better hope so. Her Stand-Up Paddleboard Is a Platform for Campaigning Against Plastic Pollution, A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields. | | For example, millions of discarded plastic bags clog water drainage channels and sewers in urban areas of Bangladesh. Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. What to do with plastic bags you already have at home? Plastic bags being the major component of the trash thrown away, most of it ends up on the streets. The truth is that we do not know yet the full scale of negative impacts plastic waste can have on marine and terrestrial environments because it hasnt been around long enough to allow us to assess possible scenarios of its influence on natural cycles. Recycling more plastic, more frequently, reduces its footprint. The resulting number is staggering. Our plastic addiction is having a devastating impact on our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. These microscopic plastic fragments, no more than 5 millimeters long, are hard to detectand are just about everywhere. Consumer outrage about the plastics crisis is already commanding attention from big companies and from many governments. (Some places are going so far as to ban single-use plastics entirely; most notably, India intends to go this route by 2022.) Required fields are marked *. Look for another place that does accept or use alternative packaging, such as small local stores that use paper wraps or compostable bags. In 2015 researchers from the University of Georgia estimated that between 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic per year make their way into the oceans via people living within 30 miles of a coast. 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. 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. Already in 2001, researchers found that the mass of microscopic plastic fragments in the North Pacific Central Gyre was 6 times higher than of plankton. Learn how your comment data is processed. Even human footprints left in the sand represent mountain-like obstacles in their path and waves washing up on the beach are another challenge, as they thrust them back on the dry land to try once again before finally being picked up by a return current and start swimming for their life. Facebook; Contact Now . We all are just trying to do our job well. In countries with a lack of awareness about negative impacts of plastic bags, a polite refusal might not be met with much understanding. 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. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. America Needs a Plastics Intervention. Beached whales have been found with stomachs full of plastic trash. 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]. 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. An outright ban on plastic straws would create an accessibility problem for disabled people while dining in public. Refineries where crude oil is turned into plastic make up one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector. 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. But a whopping 91 percent of all plastic isnt recycled at all. 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. What is the root of the problem (consumers or municipal waste management)? The production of these bags is very energy intensive. Plastic bag bansideally accompanied by a fee on paper bagsare also catching on. 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. On average, taxpayers end up paying about $88 per year just on plastic bag waste [15]. Leape has long been a leader in ocean conservation efforts. Other states such as Hawaii, cities such as Seattle and New York, and corporations such as Amazon and Starbucks are also considering or have initiated plastic phase-out plans. A plastic straw ban would serve to reduce the number of plastic straws entering the ocean. In Germany alone, we use 40 billion plastic straws every year. Will others? 2023 Get Green Now. Instead it ends up in landfills or in the environment. 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. McDonald's recently announced . Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. Plastic straws, being so lightweight and non-biodegradable, are readily carried into the water, where they eventually break down into smaller and smaller pieces of microplastic. Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. We shouldnt ban plastic straws if it creates an accessibility issue. As communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. Plastic straws are not the first iteration of straws. Here are a few more tips for ridding your life (and your community) of single-use plastics for good. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. There are definitely differing opinions on whether or not plastic straws should be banned. We will 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. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. You need to know what effects plastic bags have on the environment and health. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. By 2030, CEO James Quincey has pledged to use 50 percent recycled material in its bottles and cans and recycle one bottle or can. 1. 1. plastic straws litter our environment Every day, about 3-6 billion plastic straws are produced. Additionally, someone has to pay the cost of dealing with plastic bags in the waste stream. The very best alternative is a reusable bag. CRIDDLE:Cost is a huge issue. 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. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. So, for example, companies need to not only make products that are recyclable, but actually make them out of recycled or truly biodegradable material. Also, giving a speech in . Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go. We use them to drink beverages at home and we get them at almost every restaurant. On average, plastic bags cost retailers about 3-5 cents each. However, if a plastic straw ban is properly implemented with education about single-use plastics, then the ban could encourage the public to reduce their usage of other single-use plastics as well. A Ban Could Harm Local Businesses If Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs. 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. It means that most bags can be recycled. The most heartbreaking part of this is that the affected animals are not aware they eat something that will make them feel miserable and will slowly kill them. Low rated: 2. This includes grocery plastic bags, Ziplock-type bags, dry cleaning bags and bread bags. The Pasig River in the Philippines is another scary example of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. Plastic pollutionwhether in our oceans, piling up on our coastlines, or contributing to our climate crisisimpacts vulnerable communities first. The crisis is so serious that many people are saying that plastic straws should be outlawed. 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. 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? Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned. Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site may be referral or affiliate links. 2. Lizzie Carr is shining a light on what is floating through the worlds waterways, and breaking athletic records along the way. Plastic Straws: Is Paper Really Better for the Environment?Continue. If youd like to learn more about how plastic straws negatively impact the environment, you can check out this article I wrote about the environmental impact of plastic straws. 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. . As it turns out, many microorganisms make moldable bioplastic polymers that are fully degradable. It was first invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. 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 . Thats nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. In 2015 a mere 24 of these ethane cracker facilities in the United States had the combined carbon output of 3.8 million passenger vehicles. All you need to do is paste your ZIP code and then see the list of stores with bag drop-off in your nearest location. You can use some easy online locators to see the closest plastic bag drop-off. Most retailers will get your point, but it can also happen that they will not be willing to sell you some products without placing it in their plastic bags because of having to oblige with some hygiene and sanitary standards (for example when selling meat products). Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. Overall, the goal of a plastic straw ban should be to increase public awareness for single-use plastics and their nasty effects on the environment. For many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. Come with external costs 9. New research shows their prolific dam building benefits river water quality so much, it outweighs the damaging influence of climate-driven droughts. The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. 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. (Source: Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment), Stanford scientists are among a growing number of researchers harnessing artificial intelligence techniques to bring more realistic representations of ubiquitous atmospheric ripples into global climate models. They also arent accepted by recycling facilities because they can jam recycling machinery (due to their small size). CRAIG CRIDDLE: In addition to recycling more and reusing materials more, we need new materials that can do the same jobs as current plastics, but are biodegradable, nontoxic and do not concentrate in food chains. 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. How To Make A Bracelet Out Of Plastic String? 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. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. A wave of single-use plastic bans is sweeping the country and the globemost often on plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and takeout clamshells. 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. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. How exactly does the use of plastic do harm to the environment?Plastic has a very long half-life in the environment, during which it poses a danger to animals and spreads toxic chemicals.Additionally, plastic is a contributor to the warming of the planet.Nearly every type of plastic is manufactured using chemicals that are leftover from the manufacturing of fossil fuels, which contribute to global warming (gas, oil and even coal). Fortunately, microorganisms can also use cheap, renewable substrates, such as food wastes, biogas methane, carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen. Most of it is either dumped in landfills or ends up in the ocean. Theyre in about a quarter of the seafood in our markets, and even in table salt. Buy in bulk. How Plastic Bottles Become Death Traps for Hermit Crabs. Yeah I end up going through like 5 paper straws because they keep disintegrating and I can't drink my drink anymore. You can share this article on social media by using the share buttons below. 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. Even if plastic doesnt end up in the ocean, recycled plastic is often exported from high-income countries to developing countries to process. Such materials already exist in nature. Heres everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1. State Disclosures. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. Activists Say Straws Should Be Banned Because They Are a 'Gateway Plastic' Advocates hope a straw ban will be the first step toward broader plastic prohibitions. 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. 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. 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. Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. The decrease in demand for plastic bags forces manufacturers to reduce their production and consider expanding in a supply of alternative products. Car Modifications for Electric Vehicles: Whats Possible. But, are paper straws really better for the environment? 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. Starting in the 1960s, plastic straw manufacturing took off. These are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. This way, disabled people can continue to be served, while also reducing the number of plastic straws that we use. But single-use plastics come with a steep environmental priceone that well be paying off for millennia. Some experts estimate that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. Straws, Ives says, made the perfect target: too inconsequential to really be missed but so ubiquitous that their absence would be noticed.