"Because they're so lightweight, straws often blow into waterways, landing in the ocean and harming wildlife"
Some plastic straws are still being made with materials that are potentially toxic or carcinogenic. And even if straws are labeled as “BPA-free” they might still contain the chemical.
Plastic can remain in the environment for over 2 000 years because (most) plastic is not biodegradable. So that beverage that took you 15 minutes to drink will linger in the environment for generations.
For several different reasons, straws frequently end up in the ocean because they’re littered on the beach, blown out of trashcans, or washed down storm drains, among other reasons. Studies predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight. Because of their small size, aquatic animals can confuse bits of plastic for food and choke on them
An average person will go through 38 000 straws in 60 years. Which means that five hundred million straws are used every day. And that’s just in the United States of America. No wonder a hundred thousand sea animals and a million birds die each year due to plastic consumption.
To make a change, it’s as simple as asking to not get a straw with your beverage when you order one. It may not feel like you can save the planet on your own, but little habits like this help raise awareness and your influence can easily spread. One small gesture can have a huge impact. Hopefully you have enough facts now to defend your decision.And spread the word! If someone notices that you’re not using a straw, let them know why. And for many people, ditching plastic straws will not affect their quality of life.
Of course, there are exceptions, and some people need straws. But for everyone who can live without them, imagine the impact it’d have on the environment if we all stopped using them.And if you’re not ready to give up on straws entirely, there are tons of options for reusable straws out there. Bamboo, stainless steel, paper, silicone, treated glass, etc. To sum up, if you want the future to be healthier, now is the time to give up on disposable straws forever. And tell your friends to do the same.