10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned

Quick Navigation for Reasons Why Plastic Shopping Bags Should Be Banned REASONS 1. 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-. Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently. These dyes on their own can leach toxins, but they can also be contaminated with traces of heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, both of which affect kidney health and proper functioning of other organs. 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. This means that you are not consuming more resources every time you need to carry your groceries home. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. We do not know the full impact of microplastics exceeding the mass of plankton in the ocean. Facebook; Contact Now . The small pilot whale, found in a Thai canal this past June, is another symptom of a crisis in the worlds oceans. Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. Those global companies can be important levers in driving change and shifting to a regenerative, circular economy. 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. NDLA National Disability Leadership Alliance: Nothing About Us Without Us. Once a person gets into the habit of bringing reusable bags when shopping, it is not much of an inconvenience at all. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. 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.) In New York, 23 billion plastic bags are used by residents each year. Buy in bulk. The production of these bags is very energy intensive. A laboratory photograph of microplastics found in the Corsica River in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Maryland, An albatross found dead with a belly full of plastic on Midway Atoll. Interestingly, these granules contain the seeds of their own destruction: enzymes that break the polymer down when it is needed for food. As it turns out, many microorganisms make moldable bioplastic polymers that are fully degradable. When animals ingest plastic, it clogs up their digestive systems, which can easily choke or kill animals like birds or sea turtles. Such is the case with many environmental crises: the worst effects are pushed onto overburdened communities with the fewest resources to fight back. How can you help to ban plastic bags in your area? by TFK Kid Reporter Maria Suarez, 10 Bellaire, Texas Plastic straws should not be banned until we can find alternatives that are affordable, environmentally friendly, and acceptable for disabled people. By simply using less plastic, you can help keep marine life from eating and getting entangled in garbage. 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. Communities and consumers can play vital roles in sparking action. Which brings us to the second part. National Geographic made a video on how helpless it feels to be caught in a plastic bag. This type of plastic is derived from petroleum. and reefs composed of coral, F) I Plastic straws are one of the top five most often used items. It has been projected that, if current trends continue, by 2050 the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish. The country instituted the ban in 2013 to minimize livestock deaths. 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. Our reliance on these plastics means we are accumulating waste at a staggering rate. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. The risk is that banning straws may confer moral license allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. 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. Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. If you are a kid reading this, and you want to get green and help the Earth, you are at the right place. Many of you may have heard it already. 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. Nearly 20 years ago, a dead pelican was found with its stomach filled with 17 plastic bags [10]. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. 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. America Needs a Plastics Intervention. Our plastic addiction is having a devastating impact on our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. It started with cardboard straws, but once plastic production in America increased, people realized it was quicker and cheaper to produce plastic straws. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. Plastic bags and plastic products overall contain substances that are harmful to our health. Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. They are tinier than a palm of your hand and appear so fragile when struggling across the beach to make it to the sea. 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. The Pasig River in the Philippines is another scary example of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment. Straws, Ives says, made the perfect target: too inconsequential to really be missed but so ubiquitous that their absence would be noticed. The explanation is quite simple. 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. NRDC scientist Jennifer Sass says yes and debunks the skeptics claim that in trying to wean ourselves off plastic bags, were only creating more troubles. Some experts estimate that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. Large producers of single-use plastics can make a big environmental impact. 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. Marine animals bear the burden of this influx of garbage into their habitats. Lizzie Carr is shining a light on what is floating through the worlds waterways, and breaking athletic records along the way. 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. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. Ill also go over whether or not plastic straw bans will actually help the environment, and explain everything else youll need to know. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. This includes grocery plastic bags, Ziplock-type bags, dry cleaning bags and bread bags. Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. We all are just trying to do our job well. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our world today. 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. In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. As plastic bags are not disposed properly . Beached whales have been found with stomachs full of plastic trash. 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). 2. These steps are pretty straight forward and depend on your own initiative. Car Modifications for Electric Vehicles: Whats Possible. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned. Participate in beach or river cleanups. For example, in Botswana, the consumption of plastic bags dropped by 50 percent after the introduction of the tax in 2007. So, for example, companies need to not only make products that are recyclable, but actually make them out of recycled or truly biodegradable material. Help us break the cycle of causing unnecessary harm and damage in the name of "convenience". In Ireland, where this fee was instituted in 2002, plastic bag usage decreased by about 90 percent. The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step. So, plastic bag recycling facilities are few and far between and transportation to one could be expensive. Its because Asian and US coastlines release large amounts of plastic waste in the ocean [7]. 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. Unfortunately, such costs are typically not included in most economic analyses, as they are not easy to calculate because the equation would have to involve many indirect variables. Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy. This means that the average consumption of plastic bags per person dropped from 328 bags per year to just 21 [20]. It also took 100% of those plastic grocery bags out of the recycling system, where they bound up machinery and increased costs. 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. Theyve even made their way up to the secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. She can remember all of her vehicles the Pontiac 6000, her familys car that was passed on to her when she went to college; the Volkswagen Rabbit, and later Fox, that took her through young adulthood; the Honda Civics,, Read More Car Recycling: Everything You Need to Know (With Statistics)Continue, Whether youre a scuba diver, snorkeler, or amateur swimmer, the ocean is a playground where you come to explore the beauty of nature and the difference from your regular lifes environment. 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.). Reducing plastic use is the most effective means of avoiding this waste (and the impacts linked to plastic production and use). Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. 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. For the oceans sake, wed better hope so. 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. In this article, Ill go over both the pros and cons of a plastic straw ban. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. What do the bans accomplish? It is estimated that there are now 150 million metric tons of plastic in 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. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. About; Disability Vote Blog; Organizer's Forum; Issues; News; NDLA Webinars 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]. Look around and you will notice that plastic bags are the most common litter. Divers, for example, descend 130 feet under the water, seek unique-looking creatures, and observe the marine world in all its glory. Alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper, may not always be effective for disabled people: paper can be bitten through or broken easily. Single use plastics wreak havoc on wildlife and the earth. Even when you dont see it, these indestructible particles are everywhere around us, including in the food chain. 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. When you sip beverages through a straw you end up inhaling more air into your belly than you would otherwise. 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. By comparison, an estimated 46 percent of all pollution in the ocean is made up of lost or abandoned fishing gear (Vox). The very best alternative is a reusable bag. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. Then, they have a propensity to break down into microplastics, which then clutter the ecosystems in question. Author: floridadep.gov. Plastic bags being the major component of the trash thrown away, most of it ends up on the streets. Spare Yourself the Guilt Trip This Earth DayIts Companies That Need to Clean Up Their Acts, These Fanciful Sea Creatures Were Carried in on the Tide. Even if plastic doesnt end up in the ocean, recycled plastic is often exported from high-income countries to developing countries to process. Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. Stanford experts discuss the limitations of these bans and the potential for meaningful change. Animals can also easily become entangled in this plastic waste. 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. Plastic Straws: Is Paper Really Better for the Environment? But these cases make up a small fraction of single-use plastic. 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. This means that you need to first educate yourself about the problem. ), then its clean! 1. They are also not biodegradable and cannot be broken down naturally by bacteria and other decomposers into non-toxic materials. 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. Polypropylene is a form of plastic that is frequently used in the production of straws. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. 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. 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. 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. Plastic pollutionwhether in our oceans, piling up on our coastlines, or contributing to our climate crisisimpacts vulnerable communities first. The decrease in demand for plastic bags forces manufacturers to reduce their production and consider expanding in a supply of alternative products. For many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. New York State and Hawaii just passed theirs, set to go into effect in 2020, and Californias bag ban, which was passed in 2014, has been shown to have reduced plastic bag usage by 85 percent (with some customers opting to pay a 10 cent fee for thicker plastic bags) and has reduced coastal pollution. We should also try to give up plastic straws if we are capable of doing so. It means that most bags can be recycled. Thats a promising start. Manufacturers began replacing traditionally paper or glass staples with lighter or more durable and affordable plastic alternatives; plastic jugs replaced milk jars, for instance. We should do likewise. Scientists have recorded some species of zooplankton eating tiny plastic particles. Well, lets have a look at the most important reasons why single-use plastic bags should be banned right now. 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. These tiny plastic particles have been found in our oceans, soil, and even in the air. What about you? 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. What Is Plastic Made Of And How Is It Manufactured? Instead it ends up in landfills or in 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]. The crisis is so serious that many people are saying that plastic straws should be outlawed. In many instances, it may seem too awkward for you to refuse the bag, so you accept it this one time, but you should know that it is fine to say no politely even at this stage if you dont want that bag. For example, millions of discarded plastic bags clog water drainage channels and sewers in urban areas of Bangladesh. Alarmingly, scientists estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050. Have you ever seen endangered sea turtles hatch? You should examine what alternatives are available and whether local retailers, who often operate with a limited monthly budget, have the ability to make the switch. 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? And recent studies found plastic in the guts of 90 percent of the seabirds tested and 100 percent of the turtles. that do collect plastic bags and other plastic films and send them for proper recycling. New research shows their prolific dam building benefits river water quality so much, it outweighs the damaging influence of climate-driven droughts. Look for another place that does accept or use alternative packaging, such as small local stores that use paper wraps or compostable bags. Recently, however, plastic straws have been the subject of many plastic bans in an attempt to help the environment. Paper straws cannot be recycled in any way. Most plastic straws are made from harsh chemicals making them impossible to reuse or recycle. Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. Our waterway plastic pollution is particularly concentrated: Just ten rivers carry 93 percent of the worlds total amount of plastic that enters the oceans via rivers each year. One recent survey found plastics in 94 percent of tap water samples in the U.S. and in nearly every brand of bottled water. Most drop-off collection points accept plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (plastic number 2) and low-density polyethylene (plastic number 4). (Everything You Need To Know). JIM LEAPE: Our oceans are currently swimming with plastics. Our addiction to plastic also has negative impacts on the climate. You can use some easy online locators to see the closest plastic bag drop-off. Such changes could have outsized benefits for vulnerable populations that rely on rivers for their water supply. There are some great initiatives that strive to provide jobs for women in rural communities with limited possibilities of securing monthly income. Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. 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. The ban also kept them from littering neighborhoods and the environment. They also arent accepted by recycling facilities because they can jam recycling machinery (due to their small size). These examples could go on for a long time. Starbucks plans to phase out plastic straws by 2020. 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. Also, giving a speech in . [PDF] Skip The Straw - 10 Reasons Fact Sheet - Kids. Cause of environmental pollution 2. Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of pollution found on beaches and in oceans all over the world. Thats nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. While an extra two cents may not seem like a lot, it could make a difference for some businesses that depend on plastic straws. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Refineries where crude oil is turned into plastic make up one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector. 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]. The trend has already started. This way, disabled people can continue to be served, while also reducing the number of plastic straws that we use. PLASTIC STRAWS CANT BE BROKEN DOWN BY NATURE. This is due to the fact that the plastic tubes are far too lightweight to be recycled in an efficient manner. These are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. 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. You need to know what effects plastic bags have on the environment and health. 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. McDonalds swapped its plastic straws for paper at its United Kingdom and Ireland restaurants. For most, straws are not a necessity, but a convenience. A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. You as an individual have the power to make a gradual change in your community. 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. Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. It is possible to enhance ones risk of developing cavities by using a straw while consuming liquids that are either sweet or acidic. If this happens, there are a few scenarios you can follow: The best thing you can do with those old plastic bags that have been stashed in that overflowing drawer in your kitchen is to recycle them. 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. Coca-Cola makes an estimated 110 billion plastic bottles a year.