Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative, submitting an op-ed to your citys newspaper, or simply starting conversations with neighbors. Plastic straws are not the first iteration of straws. Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. What never leaves, Read More Sustainable Diving & Snorkeling: How to Prevent Damage to Marine EcosystemsContinue, Top 3 Ways Kids can Help the Earth! Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. On average, taxpayers end up paying about $88 per year just on plastic bag waste [15]. What about you? Straws make up roughly 4 percent of the plastic waste in terms of the number of pieces, but a far smaller percentage in terms of the weight.Due to the fact that the typical weight of a straw is just around one sixty-seventh of an ounce, or 42 grams, the total weight of all those billions of straws combined only accounts for roughly 2,000 tons of the almost 9 million tons of plastic debris that enters the sea each year. Why? Manufacturers began replacing traditionally paper or glass staples with lighter or more durable and affordable plastic alternatives; plastic jugs replaced milk jars, for instance. This way, disabled people can continue to be served, while also reducing the number of plastic straws that we use. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. 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. 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 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. Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. Since their birth, baby turtles have only one goal to get to the sea and swim into deep waters where they will feed and if successful grow into adult turtles. There are numerous reasons why PLA straws are not the right substitute for plastic straws . Individual choicesand the collective shifts they bring aboutadd up quickly. Thats bad news for our carbon reduction goals: if plastic production continues unabated, its greenhouse gas emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030equal to adding nearly 300 new coal-fired power plantseven as the need to curb global climate change becomes more urgent. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently. On their long journey, they will encounter many difficulties and only a small portion of them will survive. They're not alone. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. 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. There are definitely differing opinions on whether or not plastic straws should be banned. and reefs composed of coral, F) I Plastic straws are one of the top five most often used items. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Post date: 18 yesterday. Individual actions can lead to collective actions. What Is Plastic Made Of And How Is It Manufactured? These pieces can be so small that they are invisible to our eye. 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. Participate in beach or river cleanups. Many of you may have heard it already. Alarmingly, scientists estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Overall, the main reason for a plastic straw ban is to help the environment by preventing plastic straws pollution. If we ban single-use plastic straws we will have to turn to the dangerous alternatives.In source 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. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. As it turns out, many microorganisms make moldable bioplastic polymers that are fully degradable. 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 . Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. 10 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned 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. 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. So, retailers incorporate this cost hiddenly into prices of other items sold at stores. Large producers of single-use plastics can make a big environmental impact. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth 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. You as an individual have the power to make a gradual change in your community. PLASTIC STRAWS CANT BE BROKEN DOWN BY NATURE. But, are paper straws really better for the environment? . (Some places are going so far as to ban single-use plastics entirely; most notably, India intends to go this route by 2022.) Read more about us. Let us know if you liked this article. Forty years after the launch of the first universal recycling symbol, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. LEAPE:Microplastics pervade the oceans. The production of these bags is very energy intensive. Search for jobs related to Reasons why smoking should be banned articles or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. We are working hard to improve our content. It started with cardboard straws, but once plastic production in America increased, people realized it was quicker and cheaper to produce plastic straws. 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. Many of the chemicals in plastics are known endocrine disruptors,and research has suggested that human exposure could cause health impacts including hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems like infertility, and even cancer. 6461 garfield street hollywood, fl. We will 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. 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. Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. Should Plastic be Banned Essay for Students in English - VEDANTU Not only is plastic estimated to kill millions of marine animals and seabirds each year, but its also contaminating seafood that humans have relied on for millennia, particularly with microplastics in animals guts. 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 In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. In effect, nature has designed this plastic for disassembly. 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. 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]. Made from fossil fuels 3. 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. It is predicted that each year 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean, with 1.152.41 tons of that plastic being carried there by major rivers all over the world. NRDCs Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans. Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? Required fields are marked *. Killing wildlife 5. The explanation is quite simple. 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. That is why the United Nations Environmental Programme Secretariat has recommended a ban on all plastic bags globally. LEAPE:Plastic straws are only a tiny fraction of the problem less than 1 percent. 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. But should plastic straws really be banned? 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. The risk is that banning straws may confer moral license allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. Well, before putting it into the laundry basket, take a look at it closely. 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. Divers, for example, descend 130 feet under the water, seek unique-looking creatures, and observe the marine world in all its glory. 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. 82 percent of the responding food service establishments were aware of the prohibition, and 69 percent of those establishments viewed the ban favorably. For example, in Botswana, the consumption of plastic bags dropped by 50 percent after the introduction of the tax in 2007. American beaver populations are booming in the western United States as conditions grow hotter and drier. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. We hear everywhere around us that we need to save energy. Criddle isdirector of StanfordsCodiga Resource Recovery Center,a member ofStanford Bio-Xand an affiliate of thePrecourt Institute for Energy. By simply using less plastic, you can help keep marine life from eating and getting entangled in garbage. 2015-2023 Greentumble. The country instituted the ban in 2013 to minimize livestock deaths. Hi, Im Hugh, and my mission with Get Green Now is to raise awareness of environmental issues and teach people how to live sustainably. How To Make A Bracelet Out Of Plastic String? Plastic is putting a strain on waste management systems, our oceans, and vulnerable communities the world over. So, plastic waste only speeds up the destruction of these most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned The very best alternative is a reusable bag. Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned - tmtnevins.com Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. Unfortunately, such a high level of pollution doesnt come without consequences. As communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. Quick Navigation for Reasons Why Plastic Shopping Bags Should Be Banned REASONS 1. 2. If it looks clean, smells clean (and sounds clean! 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. After all, ask your grandparents, they will remember that during their time people were used to go shopping with their own bags or baskets. In 2015 a mere 24 of these ethane cracker facilities in the United States had the combined carbon output of 3.8 million passenger vehicles. Do you wonder why? We should just stick to plastic. For example, millions of discarded plastic bags clog water drainage channels and sewers in urban areas of Bangladesh. They also arent accepted by recycling facilities because they can jam recycling machinery (due to their small size). Low rated: 2. Well, lets have a look at the most important reasons why single-use plastic bags should be banned right now. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step, offering a natural place to start with low-hanging fruit so long as its part of a much more fundamental shift away from single-use plastics across the value chains of these companies and our economy. These microscopic plastic fragments, no more than 5 millimeters long, are hard to detectand are just about everywhere. FNB News - Choose the right straw | FNB News Made from petroleum products, Baekland's " bakelite " plastic was a revolutionary material. A 2018 study of coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific has confirmed that plastic waste deposited on coral reefs promotes outbreaks of diseases that gradually destroy whole reef colonies [12]. Petroleum-based plastic bags are composed of very resistant synthetic polymers that may take up to 1,000 years or never until they completely degrade in natural environments [6]. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? 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. | | For many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. Additionally, plastics in our digestive tract may affect absorption of some important trace elements (like iron) which we need for maintaining proper health [13]. By 2030, CEO James Quincey has pledged to use 50 percent recycled material in its bottles and cans and recycle one bottle or can. Or you may need to accept that plastic bag this time and then start campaigning for a plastic bag ban in your area . Ideally, to be suitable for recycling, bags need to be clean to be accepted, which is often a problem, considering that we use them to carry groceries and potentially leaky goods. This leaves few other alternatives other than plastic straws. That's a whole 900 tons of plastic waste produced every day, and that's just for plastic straws! 2. Although, really, these tips can be used by anyone, not just kids. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. Some companies are taking initiative on their own. Thats nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. Paper straws cannot be recycled in any way. (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. Why Are Plastic Straws Bad for the Environment & Should Be Banned 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. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and A last example of a true horror caused by plastic has been discovered just recently. 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]. These are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of pollution found on beaches and in oceans all over the world.