Plastic Straws Banned

 

Plastic straws banned in several cities is a piece of good news for mother nature.

Several cities and companies began to make efforts to fight plastic pollution. As part of that, they proposed to ban or reduce plastic straws.

In addition to switching to compost straws, it will release a new lid design without straw in the usual cold drink cup.

They may seem like a nice little addition to your drink. But there is a growing movement when you realize the fact that plastic straws suck!

Plastic straws are not only trapped in the nose of turtles which causes extraordinary levels of pain and distress but also mistaken for food by seabirds. They are fed to their young birds or sucked by fish and marine mammals when they eat.

 

Plastic is dangerous to our health

 

A recent study has revealed that most commercially available plastics contain synthetic estrogen. Some BPA-free products actually release estrogenic chemicals that are stronger than BPA.

Plastics contain a variety of toxic chemicals that dissolve into our food and drink. This causes health problems, from hormonal disorders to cancer.

Very high risk for children – even exposure to small amounts of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) can cause neurological damage. Causes behavioral problems, such as autism, ADHD and low IQ, as well as fertility problems, obesity, and diabetes.

You might be surprised to learn that 50% of the plastic is disposable plastic. Broad adoption of ‘comfortable lifestyles’ where the average person discards a few pieces of disposable plastic every day (such as packaging, equipment, and straws) plays a large role in the deteriorating sea plastic crisis.

Like most disposable plastics, straws cannot be recycled efficiently because of their low value and difficulty catching them in a closed loop system.

The only way to turn off the disposable plastic flow that accumulates every day in our oceans is to stop using it. Banned plastic straws are an obligation for companies, too. Plastic straws banned in California is another good sample.

 

2 Ways To Stop The Use Of Plastic Straws

 

1. Skip the straw and enjoy your drink

It’s not difficult to imagine enjoying a drink without the need for a straw. In fact, we think even the most elaborate cocktails, mocktails, or smoothies look more attractive with fruits and spices, rather than with plastic straws.

Many people feel irritated because the waiter automatically inserts a plastic straw into their drinks.  If you work at hospitality, why not try serving drinks without a straw, or at least wait for the customer to ask for it.

And if you order a drink, try to remember to say NO to plastic straw at any time.

 

2. Switch to straws, paper or bamboo or some that can be reused

If you really prefer to use a straw, the most eco-friendly option is a reusable straw made of stainless steel, paper straws or bamboo straws.

If you are running a hospitality business, consider a deposit system. Charge extra for drinks served with reusable straws to make sure returned to you (for a refund) before the customer leaves your place. You can also use branding on steel straws for environmentally friendly products.

Finally, if a disposable straw is the only solution to your situation, try not to use it in every drink. It’s better to reduce disposables as much as possible.

Natural biodegradable paper straws (coated with natural beeswax) are the best straw solution.

 

What is the impact on the community and business if plastic straws will be banned?

 

Although this step is undoubtedly good for the environment, the earth is not the only thing that will be affected.

When plastic straws began to slowly disappear from everyday life, proponents of disability began to speak. They are certain disability often relies on straws to consume food and drink. The general prohibition does not seem to consider community members. They are handicapped in their consideration.

Some states, such as California, which recently introduced provisions on straw have considered this situation rather than banned plastic straws, they suggested only providing it on request.

And business owners who live in places with restrictions also need to adapt. They must provide more sustainable options for their customers (while ensuring that there are options for all their customers).

What’s interesting about the original plastic is how cheap it is to produce products on a mass scale. With the new ban, businesses that have used cheap plastic straws now have to adjust economically to the pressure of their customers and the world to provide replacements.

 

Conclusion

 

Although their claims are eco-friendly, compost plastic straws or biodegradable plastic straws are not damaged safely in sea conditions.

They only work if there is a ‘closed capture system’ that ensures they reach the right high-temperature city composting facility. In the real world, this rarely happens. Whether they are scattered or piled up, the number of straws used means that may seep into the river or the coast. Then make their way to the sea. They are as dangerous as marine wildlife such as normal plastic straws and take as long to break up.