However, as an environmental enthusiast, heres what I think about this ban. Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. 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. 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. What about you? The risk is that banning straws may confer moral license allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. Author: floridadep.gov. Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. 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). Without further due, here are the top 3 ways kids can help, Read More 3 Ways Kids can Help the EarthContinue, What Are Microplastics? . Each day, the United States of America uses 500 million drinking straws. Is the Tide Turning on Our Plastic Addiction? Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. Such changes could have outsized benefits for vulnerable populations that rely on rivers for their water supply. After all, ask your grandparents, they will remember that during their time people were used to go shopping with their own bags or baskets. Plastic bags floating in the ocean resemble jellyfish, one of the main sources of food for some species of sea turtles, especially the critically-endangered Leatherback turtles. 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. Let us know if you liked this article. Have some dirty clothes that you just wore today? In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. Criddle has evaluated use of microorganisms to biodegrade plastic materials and to synthesize biodegradable bioplastics from waste feedstocks. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. 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. These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. [PDF] Skip The Straw - 10 Reasons Fact Sheet - Kids. What to do with plastic bags you already have at home? 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. A straw with our iced coffee, a plastic bag to carry our takeout, a wrapper on a candy bar: taken individually, each seems harmless. Well, lets have a look at the most important reasons why single-use plastic bags should be banned right now. In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. 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 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. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. 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. For instance, a lot of the plastic produced in Asian countries is for products that serve U.S. demandand the United States often sends plastic waste back to these countries for recycling.). Instead, you are actually reusing a product, and that means that you are utilizing earths resources smartly, while at the same time reducing waste. There were numerous cases of birds caught in plastic bags, unable to fly and feed, eventually strangling themselves to death. Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned. Problematic degradation 4. Required fields are marked *. Additionally, awareness raising campaigns create a social pressure that should inspire local government and institutions to help in making changes at a bigger scale, like a regional ban or levy. As plastic bags tend to get caught in recycling machinery, most recycling facilities do not have the capacity to recycle plastic bags and therefore do not accept them. 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. Another indirect danger of plastic bags has breeding ground in the pollution they create. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. 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 Earth's ocean surface. According to market research firms, Americans use about 350 million plastic straws every single day. When the monsoon rains start, streets get waterlogged just after the first few minutes because the water cannot pass through clogged sewerage pipes. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. But the sheer amount of plastic waste inundates communities until they are drowning under thousands of tons of plastic trash. They are a part of our modern lives, and we dont tend to think much about them. Ill also go over whether or not plastic straw bans will actually help the environment, and explain everything else youll need to know. Plastic bags are everywhere. Paper straws cannot be recycled in any way. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. A complete ban on plastic straws would harm disabled people, which definitely isnt the goal of such a ban. 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 Other country that has decided to enforce the country-wide plastic bag ban after suffering of negative consequences was Mauritania. They store these polymers inside their cells as tiny granules. But, getting rid of all single-use plastics definitely will. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. It was first invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. 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 Driven by public pressure, governments and corporations are considering eliminating or phasing out single-use plastics such as straws. We do not know the full impact of microplastics exceeding the mass of plankton in the ocean. The explanation is quite simple. It is estimated that there are now 150 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean. 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. There are definitely differing opinions on whether or not plastic straws should be banned. 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. There are many uses for plastic that are not only reasonable but important, such as surgical gloves, or straws for people with disabilities. 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. 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. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. Come with external costs 9. 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. Alarmingly, scientists estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050. 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. Plastic bags and plastic products overall contain substances that are harmful to our health. 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. We produce 300 million tons of plastic each year worldwide, half of which is for single-use items. Criddle isdirector of StanfordsCodiga Resource Recovery Center,a member ofStanford Bio-Xand an affiliate of thePrecourt Institute for Energy. . Its because Asian and US coastlines release large amounts of plastic waste in the ocean [7]. Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. Criddle and Leape are also senior fellows at theStanford Woods Institute for the Environment. If it looks clean, smells clean (and sounds clean! 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 . They prevent millions of tons of plastic from entering the waste stream each year. 2. Rating: 5 (913 reviews) Highest rating: 5. Once a person gets into the habit of bringing reusable bags when shopping, it is not much of an inconvenience at all. 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. ), then its clean! It is good for our environment, health and global climate. Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. 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. Single-use plastics are a glaring example of the problems with throwaway culture. They are tinier than a palm of your hand and appear so fragile when struggling across the beach to make it to the sea. 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. Plastic bags have become such a nuisance because we as consumers use them excessively even when not needed and authorities havent figured out effective ways of dealing with them as waste. Alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper, may not always be effective for disabled people: paper can be bitten through or broken easily. Your email address will not be published. The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. that do collect plastic bags and other plastic films and send them for proper recycling. Theyve even made their way up to the secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. These examples could go on for a long time. These microscopic plastic fragments, no more than 5 millimeters long, are hard to detectand are just about everywhere. Plastic straws only account for roughly one percent of the total amount of waste plastic found in the ocean. Five Reasons Banning Plastics May Harm the Environment and Consumers And the recent fracking boom, resulting in a surplus of oil, is fueling a subsequent rise in cracker plants, too. We should also try to give up plastic straws if we are capable of doing so. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, A plastic straw ban would serve to reduce the number of plastic straws entering the ocean. 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. If plastic straws are completely banned, local small businesses like boba tea shops will have to look for pricier alternatives. Interestingly, these granules contain the seeds of their own destruction: enzymes that break the polymer down when it is needed for food. You are free to have your own personal opinion on whether or not we should ban plastic straws. We dont know how it will in the long term affect plankton-feeding species and their predators. This includes grocery plastic bags, Ziplock-type bags, dry cleaning bags and bread bags. Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Plastic, in general, is one of the biggest pollutants in the world. 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. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Once in the ocean, plastic pollution is extremely dangerous to marine life, and plastic straws are no exception. 300 to 700 plastic bags pass through the hands of an average American in just one year [8] and a survey of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs concluded that the average household in the United Kingdom stores around 40 plastic shopping bags at home [2]. Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. This leaves few other alternatives other than plastic straws. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. One recent survey found plastics in 94 percent of tap water samples in the U.S. and in nearly every brand of bottled water. Paper straws cost on average around 2.5 cents ($0.025), whereas plastic straws cost only half a cent ($0.005). InCalifornia, a bill to ban straws unless requested at dine-in restaurants is awaiting a signature from the governor. Look for another place that does accept or use alternative packaging, such as small local stores that use paper wraps or compostable bags. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. When animals ingest plastic, it clogs up their digestive systems, which can easily choke or kill animals like birds or sea turtles. We should just stick to plastic. So, plastic waste only speeds up the destruction of these most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. Considering what important source of food plankton is for many other species, it is clear that plastic gets distributed across the marine ecosystem. Tweet, call, or send letters to these companies to ask them to switch to more durable, recyclable, compostable, renewable, and/or recycled-content packaging with less fossil fuelderived plastic. Single use plastics wreak havoc on wildlife and the earth. 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. But only a few of us realize that each time we accept those disposable plastic grocery bags at store checkout, we actively participate in wasting energy and depleting non-renewable resources. 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. 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. That's a whole 900 tons of plastic waste produced every day, and that's just for plastic straws! Instead of searching for another buyer, maybe some soul-searching is in order. 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. Start from yourself and slowly expand to your family and friends. For many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. Individual choicesand the collective shifts they bring aboutadd up quickly. Unfortunately, such a high level of pollution doesnt come without consequences. Additionally, plastics in our digestive tract may affect absorption of some important trace elements (like iron) which we need for maintaining proper health [13]. Participate in beach or river cleanups. Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. The majority of this pollutiondominated by single-use plastic wastecomes from countries lacking infrastructure to properly manage waste, particularly in Asia. Why Plastic Straws Are Being Banned - Square 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. Some microplastics are even small by design, like the microbeads used in facial scrubs or the microfibers in polyester clothing. (Everything You Need To Know). A study analyzes water transactions that leave water in the river, and shows how they could be scaled up to avert cuts for major water users while supporting imperiled ecosystems. Since plastic bag recycling requires a specialized equipment that can break down the plastic and mold it into a new product, most municipalities do not have the budget to include their recycling in their waste management program. And Starbucks, which uses an estimated one billion plastic straws per year, is phasing them out in favor of paper ones. 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. (Its also important to remember that waste management is just one part of the global materials cycle. They contribute to the contamination of our landfills and seas when they are discarded after use. CRIDDLE:We need to think about what incentives will promote a culture of recycling and innovation with respect to waste streams. We add another 8 million tons each year thats about five grocery bags full of plastic waste on every foot of shoreline around the world, according to a recent study. Beyond the costs associated with the production and purchasing of plastic bags by retailers, there are many external costs that are often not considered. A last example of a true horror caused by plastic has been discovered just recently. CRIDDLE:Cost is a huge issue. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. Then, they have a propensity to break down into microplastics, which then clutter the ecosystems in question. But should plastic straws really be banned? Do you wonder why? According to a study that was published by Bloomberg News, it is predicted that the percentage of contaminated ocean water that is caused by plastic straws and stirrers is a shockingly modest 0.03 percent. No! Recently, however, plastic straws have been the subject of many plastic bans in an attempt to help the environment. 10 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned Then, you should try to explain your reasons for not wanting your products packed in plastic bags. Starbucks recently announced that it would phase out use of plastic straws by the year 2020. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. Reducing plastic use is the most effective means of avoiding this waste (and the impacts linked to plastic production and use). Buying a product through my link comes at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend products that I believe in. Not only does banning single-use plastic reduce pollution, but it also reduces demand for plastic production thats contributing to global climate change. This strategy has been adopted by some countries and municipalities so far and has proven to greatly reduce plastic bag usage by consumers. Greenwashing Alert: Chemical Recycling Isnt Actually Recycling. 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. 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. 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. As for reusable straws, they arent flexible as plastic ones and can be easily forgotten at home. LEAPE:Plastic straws are only a tiny fraction of the problem less than 1 percent. 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]. 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. (Photo credit: Shutterstock). 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? 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]. 1. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned Animals can also easily become entangled in this plastic waste. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. Car Modifications for Electric Vehicles: Whats Possible. Oil and natural gas are non-renewable fossil fuel-based resources and through their extraction and production, they emit greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change. It also took 100% of those plastic grocery bags out of the recycling system, where they bound up machinery and increased costs. Facebook; Contact Now . Have a look yourself to imagine the suffering of these animals. Our reliance on these plastics means we are accumulating waste at a staggering rate. Thus, plastic straws cant be recycled. It started with cardboard straws, but once plastic production in America increased, people realized it was quicker and cheaper to produce plastic straws. But, are paper straws really better for the environment? Theyre in about a quarter of the seafood in our markets, and even in table salt. The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. 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. JIM LEAPE: Our oceans are currently swimming with plastics. Put simply, single-use plastics are goods that are made primarily from fossil fuelbased chemicals (petrochemicals) and are meant to be disposed of right after useoften, in mere minutes. Your email address will not be published. We should do likewise. You can be sure of one thing, though. 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. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? Why is plastic bad for the environment? However, we are all too familiar with situations when a cashier automatically puts your items in a plastic bag before you can oppose it. This type of plastic is derived from petroleum. And will a plastic straw ban actually be effective when it comes to saving our oceans and environment? This blog covers a variety of topics including plastic pollution, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and much more. Reasons why smoking should be banned articles jobs Heres everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1. Do plastic straws really make a difference? - Stanford Earth Banning Straws and Bags Won't Solve our Plastic Problem And they help shift consumer mind-sets, as people begin to recognize that exorbitant and avoidable waste is not sustainable. How can you help to ban plastic bags in your area? NRDCs Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans. High costs for cleanup 8. Single-Use Plastics 101 | NRDC They suspect that it may add stress on the liver by introducing more pathogens into the body. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Thoughtful laws are needed to control the problem and at the same time encourage innovation. If the answer is yes, you should know that this inadvertent overconsumption of single-use plastic carries with it a very high cost to the environment, which in turn also negatively affects our health. There is a lot of research now underway on the health effects of ocean plastics, but we already know that some plastics, and the chemicals that attach themselves to plastics in the water, can cause cancer, genetic disruptions and other ill effects. Will others? We hear everywhere around us that we need to save energy. If you are constantly feeling gassy, then you should definitely consider drinking beverages the old fashioned way. 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. So, for example, companies need to not only make products that are recyclable, but actually make them out of recycled or truly biodegradable material. 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. 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. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in. Due to its chemistry, nothing in nature can make plastic biodegrade. Some tributaries of the river have been filled with plastic waste to the level that you could almost walk across them without getting your feet wet. 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. The resulting number is staggering. Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy.