All Rights Reserved. Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. Well, before putting it into the laundry basket, take a look at it closely. They are also not biodegradable and cannot be broken down naturally by bacteria and other decomposers into non-toxic materials. We all are just trying to do our job well. Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. If plastic straws are completely banned, local small businesses like boba tea shops will have to look for pricier alternatives. . Straws made of plastic contribute to the pollution of our seas and streams. 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]. So, plastic waste only speeds up the destruction of these most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. Your email address will not be published. Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. 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. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. As a result, the ban will reduce the number of plastic straws polluting the ocean. 2. There are definitely differing opinions on whether or not plastic straws should be banned. (Photo credit: Shutterstock). 1. Cause of environmental pollution 2. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. The majority of this pollutiondominated by single-use plastic wastecomes from countries lacking infrastructure to properly manage waste, particularly in Asia. If environmental zealots and sycophants get their way, you won't be allowed to sip it through a plastic straw. Plastic pollutionwhether in our oceans, piling up on our coastlines, or contributing to our climate crisisimpacts vulnerable communities first. The Pasig River in the Philippines is another scary example of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment. Instead it ends up in landfills or in the environment. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Some companies are taking initiative on their own. The explanation is quite simple. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. Not only does banning single-use plastic reduce pollution, but it also reduces demand for plastic production thats contributing to global climate change. You can be sure of one thing, though. Polypropylene is a form of plastic that is frequently used in the production of straws. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. These examples could go on for a long time. For many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. Only then would a plastic straw ban be able to actually help preserve the environment. 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. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. (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. Sadly, one of their newly acquired enemies is created by us who should protect them instead. In Taiwan, which was once overflowing with so much trash that it spurred public protest and the nickname Garbage Island, companies now either manage their own waste or subsidize government-run infrastructure. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. 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. This strategy has been adopted by some countries and municipalities so far and has proven to greatly reduce plastic bag usage by consumers. Companies are trying to sell communities on a toxic solution to the plastic pollution crisis. However, we are all too familiar with situations when a cashier automatically puts your items in a plastic bag before you can oppose it. As for reusable straws, they arent flexible as plastic ones and can be easily forgotten at home. 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. Plastic bags. In fact, plastic bags are considered by many recycling facilities the number one contaminant and their removal from the recycling stream costs municipalities close to $1 million a year [18]. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. Theyve even made their way up to the secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. However, I do believe that we should limit our use of plastic straws by asking businesses to only give out straws on request. Juan Cristobal Cobo/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Leape has long been a leader in ocean conservation efforts. While we may not pay for plastic bags directly when we go shopping, they are anything but free.. Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. In effect, nature has designed this plastic for disassembly. It was first invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. As communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. By 2030, CEO James Quincey has pledged to use 50 percent recycled material in its bottles and cans and recycle one bottle or can. Unfortunately, such a high level of pollution doesnt come without consequences. Forty years after the launch of the first universal recycling symbol, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. On average, taxpayers end up paying about $88 per year just on plastic bag waste [15]. Facebook; Contact Now . What Is Plastic Made Of And How Is It Manufactured? 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. Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy. These steps are pretty straight forward and depend on your own initiative. Well, lets have a look at the most important reasons why single-use plastic bags should be banned right now. Search for jobs related to Reasons why smoking should be banned articles or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. Straws have been found stuck in a sea turtle's nose and wedged in the stomachs of dead birds and dolphins. In New York, 23 billion plastic bags are used by residents each year. Its possible that using a plastic straw would make it easier for you to drink without spilling, but the long-term expenses are not worth it. Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. 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. Will others? A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. Yeah I end up going through like 5 paper straws because they keep disintegrating and I can't drink my drink anymore. Have you ever seen endangered sea turtles hatch? 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. 2015-2023 Greentumble. and reefs composed of coral, F) I Plastic straws are one of the top five most often used items. update email soon. The production of these bags is very energy intensive. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our world today. Greenwashing Alert: Chemical Recycling Isnt Actually Recycling. But these cases make up a small fraction of single-use plastic. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. Single-use plastics are a glaring example of the problems with throwaway culture. Let us know if you liked this article. 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. Interestingly, these granules contain the seeds of their own destruction: enzymes that break the polymer down when it is needed for food. 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. Then, the straw got stuck in the turtles nose after she/he tried to cough the straw back out. 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. These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. CRIDDLE:Cost is a huge issue. 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. Beyond the costs associated with the production and purchasing of plastic bags by retailers, there are many external costs that are often not considered. 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. This amount of marine life, which includes fish and turtles, is sufficient to fill 125 school buses. High costs for cleanup 8. In fact, I just listed many reasons and points in this article that support both sides of the argument. 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. Single-use plastics in particularespecially small items like straws, bags, and cutleryare traditionally hard to recycle because they fall into the crevices of recycling machinery and therefore are often not accepted by recycling centers. In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. When animals ingest plastic, it clogs up their digestive systems, which can easily choke or kill animals like birds or sea turtles. It is estimated that there are now 150 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean. Recycling more plastic, more frequently, reduces its footprint. New research shows their prolific dam building benefits river water quality so much, it outweighs the damaging influence of climate-driven droughts. They end up in the water, eaten by wildlife, and inside our bodies. 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. Made from petroleum products, Baekland's " bakelite " plastic was a revolutionary material. Look for another place that does accept or use alternative packaging, such as small local stores that use paper wraps or compostable bags. Scientists are showing that we are sending tons of tiny plastic particles into our soils each year, potentially affecting crops and our health. The inaccuracy of this number calls into doubt the veracity of the overall case against using plastic straws as a drinking implement. 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. Author: floridadep.gov. 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. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. For most, straws are not a necessity, but a convenience. Ask if they have nonplastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags. In countries with a lack of awareness about negative impacts of plastic bags, a polite refusal might not be met with much understanding. You are free to have your own personal opinion on whether or not we should ban plastic straws. Better alternatives are available 10. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. And the recent fracking boom, resulting in a surplus of oil, is fueling a subsequent rise in cracker plants, too. Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. 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. 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.) 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. American beaver populations are booming in the western United States as conditions grow hotter and drier. 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. 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. Other country that has decided to enforce the country-wide plastic bag ban after suffering of negative consequences was Mauritania. 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. Plastic straws have an especially high propensity to end up in our rivers after being thrown away. At the beginning of July 2018, Seattle became the largest U.S. city to ban plastic straws. Items made of plastic that come into contact with food can be recycled, whereas products made of paper that absorb both food and garbage cannot. Reducing plastic use is the most effective means of avoiding this waste (and the impacts linked to plastic production and use). Accompanied by high social accountability and musical garbage trucks, that strategy has proved wildly effective: the island now reports recycling rates above 50 percent. Here are a few more tips for ridding your life (and your community) of single-use plastics for good. The first is to invest in better waste collection in the handful of countries that account for most of the plastic flowing into the ocean. As a result, they are thrown away and frequently wind up in the ocean, where they pollute the water and eventually kill marine birds, animals, and fish. 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. This leaves few other alternatives other than plastic straws. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step. Plastic straws are not the first iteration of straws. Left alone, plastics dont really break down; they just break up. If we ban single-use plastic straws we will have to turn to the dangerous alternatives.In source 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. 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. But a whopping 91 percent of all plastic isnt recycled at all. 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-. In Ireland, where this fee was instituted in 2002, plastic bag usage decreased by about 90 percent. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. Without proper education, few people would know the purpose of the ban, and they would continue using other single-use plastics which could be even worse for the environment. Greentumble is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper, may not always be effective for disabled people: paper can be bitten through or broken easily. (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. 2. Quick Navigation for Reasons Why Plastic Shopping Bags Should Be Banned REASONS 1. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. 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. Such is the case with many environmental crises: the worst effects are pushed onto overburdened communities with the fewest resources to fight back. 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. Killing wildlife 5. You can share this article on social media by using the share buttons below. Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. Plastic bags are a convenient way to carry our purchased goods when we go shopping. These costs include the true environmental costs of resource extraction and depletion, the loss of quality of life, economic loss from littering, and wildlife loss. Simply, refuse them when offered and bring your own reusable bag when shopping. Litter can be the first stage in a waste stream that enters waterways as plastics tossed on the street are washed away by rain or travel via storm drains into rivers and streams. Such materials already exist in nature. Tiny plastic particles have been found in human feces. But, getting rid of all single-use plastics definitely will. The decrease in demand for plastic bags forces manufacturers to reduce their production and consider expanding in a supply of alternative products.