To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. When animals ingest plastic, it clogs up their digestive systems, which can easily choke or kill animals like birds or sea turtles. Plastic straws are not the first iteration of straws. Straws made of plastic contribute to the pollution of our seas and streams. Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. It also took 100% of those plastic grocery bags out of the recycling system, where they bound up machinery and increased costs. 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. McDonald's recently announced . 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. Driven by public pressure, governments and corporations are considering eliminating or phasing out single-use plastics such as straws. There are numerous reasons why PLA straws are not the right substitute for plastic straws . These are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our world today. Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. Some countries have decided to do so after directly experiencing negative impacts of plastic bags, other countries have implemented the ban to reach their sustainability goals. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Plastic is not the largest contributor of pollution and the . 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. What do the bans accomplish? 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. An additional problem with plastic grocery bags recycling is their cleanliness. Read more about us. 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. 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. Plastic straws have an especially high propensity to end up in our rivers after being thrown away. Have you ever seen endangered sea turtles hatch? Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. Each day, the United States of America uses 500 million drinking straws. Search for jobs related to Reasons why smoking should be banned articles or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. Plastic straws shouldn't be banned - The Rubicon Hi, Im Hugh, and my mission with Get Green Now is to raise awareness of environmental issues and teach people how to live sustainably. Large producers of single-use plastics can make a big environmental impact. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. Banning plastic straws is also increasingly popular. Plastic straws only account for roughly one percent of the total amount of waste plastic found in the ocean. Do you wonder why? 2. The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. 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. 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. 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. Forty years after the launch of the first universal recycling symbol, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. 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? The ban also kept them from littering neighborhoods and the environment. InCalifornia, a bill to ban straws unless requested at dine-in restaurants is awaiting a signature from the governor. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. We should do likewise. When you sip beverages through a straw you end up inhaling more air into your belly than you would otherwise. Those global companies can be important levers in driving change and shifting to a regenerative, circular economy. 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. The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. What Are Single-use Plastics and Should They Be Banned? These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? LEAPE:Microplastics pervade the oceans. Come with external costs 9. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? Reasons why smoking should be banned articlestrabajos 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. Considering what important source of food plankton is for many other species, it is clear that plastic gets distributed across the marine ecosystem. 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. 12 Compelling Reasons For Banning Plastic Bags [2023 Update] - MindsetEco So, plastic waste only speeds up the destruction of these most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Not only does banning single-use plastic reduce pollution, but it also reduces demand for plastic production thats contributing to global climate change. Also, giving a speech in . Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned - manufacturer, factory 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. O This requires the usage of 500 million straws, Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful, Every day in the United States. Low rated: 2. In 2008, a crocodile in Australia died because of 25 plastic bags filling its stomach [11]. As a result, the ban will reduce the number of plastic straws polluting the ocean. According to a 2017 study, more than half of non-fiber plastic, which excludes synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, comes from plastic packaging alone, much of which is for single-use items. 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). Plastic straws (like most plastic) are non-biodegradable, meaning that it cant be naturally broken down by decomposers. 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. 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.) Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. Carrying reusable bags and bottles is one great way to avoid single-use plastics in our day-to-day lives; more on preventing plastic waste can be found below. Why Are Plastic Straws Bad for the Environment & Should Be Banned Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. This means that you need to first educate yourself about the problem. They're bad for the environment, kill marine life and damage human health. Polypropylene is a form of plastic that is frequently used in the production of straws. Will Shifting to Reusable Straws Really Make a Difference? Marine animals bear the burden of this influx of garbage into their habitats. You are free to have your own personal opinion on whether or not we should ban plastic straws. Some experts estimate that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. 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. When the monsoon rains start, streets get waterlogged just after the first few minutes because the water cannot pass through clogged sewerage pipes. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If the environmental movement drew up a Most Unwanted list for 2018, the plastic drinking straw surely would land Thus, plastic straws cant be recycled. 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. 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]. Better alternatives are available 10. Thats a promising start. Such changes could have outsized benefits for vulnerable populations that rely on rivers for their water supply. Have a look yourself to imagine the suffering of these animals. Banning straws may confer 'moral license' allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. The first answer to this question that comes to everyones mind is to stop using plastic bags, right? We've all become too hooked on the availability and comfort of the stuff. For example, in Botswana, the consumption of plastic bags dropped by 50 percent after the introduction of the tax in 2007. Although single-use plastic pollution accumulates most visibly on our streets, in fact our water suffers even more. But these cases make up a small fraction of single-use plastic. Plastic pollutionwhether in our oceans, piling up on our coastlines, or contributing to our climate crisisimpacts vulnerable communities first. Your email address will not be published. Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? [Pros & Cons of a Straw Ban] 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. The country instituted the ban in 2013 to minimize livestock deaths. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. Left alone, plastics dont really break down; they just break up. Single-Use Plastics 101 | NRDC Five Reasons Banning Plastics May Harm the Environment and Consumers Additionally, someone has to pay the cost of dealing with plastic bags in the waste stream. Scientists have recorded some species of zooplankton eating tiny plastic particles. 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]. 1. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. The decrease in demand for plastic bags forces manufacturers to reduce their production and consider expanding in a supply of alternative products. 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. But should plastic straws really be banned? Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently. 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. Instead of searching for another buyer, maybe some soul-searching is in order. Why Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? - Nationwide Plastics Post date: 18 yesterday. 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. 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. An Oregon community is making spectacular statues out of ocean plastic to raise awareness about a crisis at sea. And, if you dont like wearing the same shirt or pants, Read More Dont wash it if it doesnt look dirtyContinue, At age 50, Kay is a little over halfway through her life as a driver. Is the Tide Turning on Our Plastic Addiction? A last example of a true horror caused by plastic has been discovered just recently. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. Due to its chemistry, nothing in nature can make plastic biodegrade. Scientists are showing that we are sending tons of tiny plastic particles into our soils each year, potentially affecting crops and our health. Each year on two far-flung Australian islands, more than half a million hermit crabs die after becoming trapped inside our plastic waste. China doesnt want our plastic waste anymore. Many of you may have heard it already. 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. In fact, it is estimated that up to 10 million plastic bags are used every minute around the world [1]. According to some estimates, the cost of plastic bag cleanup is about 17 cents per bag [14] and the cost is paid by us once again. 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. Then, the straw got stuck in the turtles nose after she/he tried to cough the straw back out. 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]. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Starting in the 1960s, plastic straw manufacturing took off. 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. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. They prevent millions of tons of plastic from entering the waste stream each year. What to do with plastic bags you already have at home? However, I do believe that we should limit our use of plastic straws by asking businesses to only give out straws on request. 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. 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. Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. TOP 10 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned BEST and NEWEST Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Plastic Straws: Is Paper Really Better for the Environment? Consumer outrage about the plastics crisis is already commanding attention from big companies and from many governments. The bottom line of any plastic ban is that we must use less single-use plastics overall. . Straws, Ives says, made the perfect target: too inconsequential to really be missed but so ubiquitous that their absence would be noticed. This way, disabled people can continue to be served, while also reducing the number of plastic straws that we use. Lizzie Carr is shining a light on what is floating through the worlds waterways, and breaking athletic records along the way. Other country that has decided to enforce the country-wide plastic bag ban after suffering of negative consequences was Mauritania. Our reliance on these plastics means we are accumulating waste at a staggering rate. Criddle isdirector of StanfordsCodiga Resource Recovery Center,a member ofStanford Bio-Xand an affiliate of thePrecourt Institute for Energy. Most plastic straws are made from harsh chemicals making them impossible to reuse or recycle. Thoughtful laws are needed to control the problem and at the same time encourage innovation. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. What can I do for you? 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 communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. Car Modifications for Electric Vehicles: Whats Possible. 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. Busca trabajos relacionados con Reasons why smoking should be banned articles o contrata en el mercado de freelancing ms grande del mundo con ms de 22m de trabajos. According to estimates made by scientists, there are 7.5 million polluting straws around the shores of the United States, and anywhere from 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws throughout the coastlines of the rest of the globe. In fact, I just listed many reasons and points in this article that support both sides of the argument. How Plastic Bottles Become Death Traps for Hermit Crabs. Why Plastic Bags And Straws Should Not Be Banned Over time, sun and heat slowly turn plastics into smaller and smaller pieces until they eventually become what are known as microplastics. We use them to drink beverages at home and we get them at almost every restaurant. 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. Some opposers of the plastic straw ban say that a ban is unlikely to actually help the environment, as plastic straws do not make up a large percentage of plastic in the ocean. Nearly 20 years ago, a dead pelican was found with its stomach filled with 17 plastic bags [10]. Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. Plastic bags are everywhere. In effect, nature has designed this plastic for disassembly. Harmful to human health 6. Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection 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. 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. Heres everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1. They are a part of our modern lives, and we dont tend to think much about them. Thanks for signing up. 8 good reasons to give up plastic straws - CareElite They end up in the water, eaten by wildlife, and inside our bodies. 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-. So, retailers incorporate this cost hiddenly into prices of other items sold at stores. If we ban single-use plastic straws we will have to turn to the dangerous alternatives.In source Author: floridadep.gov. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Bags Should Be Banned | Greentumble 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. Plastic bags being the major component of the trash thrown away, most of it ends up on the streets. 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. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned. 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.
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