All Rights Reserved. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. There are many uses for plastic that are not only reasonable but important, such as surgical gloves, or straws for people with disabilities. 2023 Get Green Now. Driven by public pressure, governments and corporations are considering eliminating or phasing out single-use plastics such as straws. 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. Straws don't provide as much utility as bags, so for many this is an easy adjustment. 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. Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Most drop-off collection points accept plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (plastic number 2) and low-density polyethylene (plastic number 4). Coca-Cola makes an estimated 110 billion plastic bottles a year. Additionally, a plastic straw ban could also act as a gateway into other single-use plastic bans for items like plastic bottles and plastic bags, which are worse for the environment than plastic straws. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? 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. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. 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]. The very best alternative is a reusable bag. Straws have been found stuck in a sea turtle's nose and wedged in the stomachs of dead birds and dolphins. 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. And they help shift consumer mind-sets, as people begin to recognize that exorbitant and avoidable waste is not sustainable. Divers, for example, descend 130 feet under the water, seek unique-looking creatures, and observe the marine world in all its glory. 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. And will a plastic straw ban actually be effective when it comes to saving our oceans and environment? Without further due, here are the top 3 ways kids can help, Read More 3 Ways Kids can Help the EarthContinue, What Are Microplastics? Another indirect danger of plastic bags has breeding ground in the pollution they create. The explanation is quite simple. But, getting rid of all single-use plastics definitely will. 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. This means that the average consumption of plastic bags per person dropped from 328 bags per year to just 21 [20]. Facebook; Contact Now . 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. They are also not biodegradable and cannot be broken down naturally by bacteria and other decomposers into non-toxic materials. Unfortunately, such a high level of pollution doesnt come without consequences. Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. 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 The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. Left alone, plastics dont really break down; they just break up. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. After all, ask your grandparents, they will remember that during their time people were used to go shopping with their own bags or baskets. The bottom line of any plastic ban is that we must use less single-use plastics overall. NDLA National Disability Leadership Alliance: Nothing About Us Without Us. 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. Post date: 18 yesterday. These microscopic plastic fragments, no more than 5 millimeters long, are hard to detectand are just about everywhere. And recent studies found plastic in the guts of 90 percent of the seabirds tested and 100 percent of the turtles. Alarmingly, scientists estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050. For those governments that are opposed to full bans on plastic bags, another option is to institute a plastic bag tax, where consumers or retailers would pay a small fee for each plastic bag. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. 2. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. The problem with plastic straws is that they are one of the biggest causes of unnecessary plastic pollution. McDonalds swapped its plastic straws for paper at its United Kingdom and Ireland restaurants. . America Needs a Plastics Intervention. 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. What is the root of the problem (consumers or municipal waste management)? 2. The inaccuracy of this number calls into doubt the veracity of the overall case against using plastic straws as a drinking implement. 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. Starbucks plans to phase out plastic straws by 2020. Recycling more plastic, more frequently, reduces its footprint. Over time, sun and heat slowly turn plastics into smaller and smaller pieces until they eventually become what are known as microplastics. Using a straw directs a concentrated stream of liquid onto a localized area of the teeth, which can cause the enamel to wear away and lead to dental disease. 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.). O This requires the usage of 500 million straws, Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful, Every day in the United States. 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. 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. 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. Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. They also arent accepted by recycling facilities because they can jam recycling machinery (due to their small size). New research shows their prolific dam building benefits river water quality so much, it outweighs the damaging influence of climate-driven droughts. 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. So, retailers incorporate this cost hiddenly into prices of other items sold at stores. 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. (Its also important to remember that waste management is just one part of the global materials cycle. 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. Straws made of plastic contribute to the pollution of our seas and streams. It is estimated that there are now 150 million metric tons of plastic in the ocean. Once in the ocean, plastic pollution is extremely dangerous to marine life, and plastic straws are no exception. What can I do for you? 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. 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. 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. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. 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. Sugar and oils are too expensive. 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. Let companies that make your favorite products know that you care about the packaging. 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. This means that you are not consuming more resources every time you need to carry your groceries home. 2015-2023 Greentumble. Nows the Time. 2. Even if plastic doesnt end up in the ocean, recycled plastic is often exported from high-income countries to developing countries to process. In Ireland, where this fee was instituted in 2002, plastic bag usage decreased by about 90 percent. High costs for cleanup 8. Forty years after the launch of the first universal recycling symbol, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. Plastic straws (like most plastic) are non-biodegradable, meaning that it cant be naturally broken down by decomposers. A Ban Could Harm Local Businesses If Communities and consumers can play vital roles in sparking action. It means that most bags can be recycled. Plastic straws have an especially high propensity to end up in our rivers after being thrown away. We all know what the debate is between plastic and paper straws but paper straws are horrible they will immediately break apart in your mouth and feel horrible. Additionally, someone has to pay the cost of dealing with plastic bags in the waste stream. Also, giving a speech in . Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. Your email address will not be published. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. Is the Tide Turning on Our Plastic Addiction? 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. Greenwashing Alert: Chemical Recycling Isnt Actually Recycling. 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. Plastic straws are everywhere we look. But beyond these impacts, the bans have cultural effects. For example, millions of discarded plastic bags clog water drainage channels and sewers in urban areas of Bangladesh. Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. Stanford experts discuss the limitations of these bans and the potential for meaningful change. How Plastic Bottles Become Death Traps for Hermit Crabs. You need to know what effects plastic bags have on the environment and health. 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. American beaver populations are booming in the western United States as conditions grow hotter and drier. Thanks for signing up. The Pasig River is the eight worst source of ocean plastic pollution in the world. Tangled in trees and fences along roads, floating in water, lying on the ground in parks and forests, surrounding garbage bins, washed off on beaches. Animals can also easily become entangled in this plastic waste. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. In 2008, a crocodile in Australia died because of 25 plastic bags filling its stomach [11]. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Heres everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes. But single-use plastics come with a steep environmental priceone that well be paying off for millennia. This measure should encourage people to switch to reusable alternatives. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. 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. Starbucks recently announced that it would phase out use of plastic straws by the year 2020. InCalifornia, a bill to ban straws unless requested at dine-in restaurants is awaiting a signature from the governor. But a whopping 91 percent of all plastic isnt recycled at all. Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers. Better alternatives are available 10. 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. By comparison, an estimated 46 percent of all pollution in the ocean is made up of lost or abandoned fishing gear (Vox). Then, they have a propensity to break down into microplastics, which then clutter the ecosystems in question. As for reusable straws, they arent flexible as plastic ones and can be easily forgotten at home. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. Thats nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. Instead of investing in quality goods that will last, we often prioritize convenience over durability and consideration of long-term impacts. 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 Pasig River in the Philippines is another scary example of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment. 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. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go. 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. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. A last example of a true horror caused by plastic has been discovered just recently. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. Starting in the 1960s, plastic straw manufacturing took off. Required fields are marked *. Other country that has decided to enforce the country-wide plastic bag ban after suffering of negative consequences was Mauritania. They store these polymers inside their cells as tiny granules. Many of you may have heard it already. 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. We've all become too hooked on the availability and comfort of the stuff. If youd like to learn more about how plastic straws negatively impact the environment, you can check out this article I wrote about the environmental impact of plastic straws. Marine animals bear the burden of this influx of garbage into their habitats. They contribute to the contamination of our landfills and seas when they are discarded after use. Problematic degradation 4. Or you may need to accept that plastic bag this time and then start campaigning for a plastic bag ban in your area . Heres everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1. 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 the environmental movement drew up a Most Unwanted list for 2018, the plastic drinking straw surely would land The resulting number is staggering. Search for jobs related to Reasons why smoking should be banned articles or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. We all are just trying to do our job well. An additional problem with plastic grocery bags recycling is their cleanliness. Will Shifting to Reusable Straws Really Make a Difference? Plastics also permeate freshwater systems like rivers and streams. We are working hard to improve our content. Juan Cristobal Cobo/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment. 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. Quick Navigation for Reasons Why Plastic Shopping Bags Should Be Banned, [1] https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf, [2] https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/getting-rid-of-plastic-bags-a-windfall-for-supermarkets-but-it-wont-do-much-for-the-environment/, [3] https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/2018/04/09/plastic-chokes-dhakas-drainage/, [4] https://1bagatatime.com/learn/plastic-bags-petroleum/, [5] https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2935417&page=1, [6] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-waste-pollution-trash-crisis/, [7] https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/10/12/124006/pdf, [8] https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/rare-sea-turtles-eating-plastic-at-record-rate, [9] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cobi.12126, [10] http://www.prijatelji-zivotinja.hr/index.en.php?id=934, [11] http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2008/12/plastic-bags-and-animals-making-the-wild-safe-for-wildlife/, [12] http://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6374/460, [13] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/22/microplastics-found-in-human-stools-for-the-first-time, [14] https://1bagatatime.com/learn/plastic-bag-clean-costs/, [15] http://www.bagmonster.com/2010/04/the-true-cost-of-single-use-bags.html, [16] http://www.cep.unep.org/cep-documents/unep-press-release-on-the-effects-of-plastic-waste-on-marine-ecosystems.pdf, [17] https://greentumble.com/can-plastic-bags-be-recycled/, [18] https://1bagatatime.com/learn/plastic-bag-clean-costs/, [19] https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-countries-are-in-the-world.html, [20] https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25496/singleUsePlastic_sustainability.pdf. State Disclosures. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. They discovered that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestl products were found most often. This is due to the fact that the plastic tubes are far too lightweight to be recycled in an efficient manner. About; Disability Vote Blog; Organizer's Forum; Issues; News; NDLA Webinars Plastic waste that clogs water drainage channels and river tributaries of many Asian cities increases exposure of residents to water-borne diseases, as it creates a toxic soup that remains stranded in one place for prolonged periods of time. Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. Animals living in the ocean might frequently confuse the plastic for food. 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. What Is Plastic Made Of And How Is It Manufactured? How To Make A Bracelet Out Of Plastic String? Stanford Reportspoke withJim Leape, co-director of theStanford Center for Ocean Solutions, andCraig Criddle, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, about the path to reducing ocean plastic pollution. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. Beached whales have been found with stomachs full of plastic trash. Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy. 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. 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. A straw with our iced coffee, a plastic bag to carry our takeout, a wrapper on a candy bar: taken individually, each seems harmless. Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. Ask if they have nonplastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags. 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. But, are paper straws really better for the environment? Most plastic straws are made from harsh chemicals making them impossible to reuse or recycle. Plastic bag bansideally accompanied by a fee on paper bagsare also catching on. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. Her Stand-Up Paddleboard Is a Platform for Campaigning Against Plastic Pollution, A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields. The first answer to this question that comes to everyones mind is to stop using plastic bags, right? Made from petroleum products, Baekland's " bakelite " plastic was a revolutionary material. that do collect plastic bags and other plastic films and send them for proper recycling. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. 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.) Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. Individual actions can lead to collective actions. Therefore, a plastic straw ban by itself is unlikely to be very effective in actually helping the environment, although it could act as a gateway into the reduction of other single-use plastics. 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. Well, lets have a look at the most important reasons why single-use plastic bags should be banned right now. Not easy to recycle 7. And the recent fracking boom, resulting in a surplus of oil, is fueling a subsequent rise in cracker plants, too. In this article, Ill go over both the pros and cons of a plastic straw ban. Criddle isdirector of StanfordsCodiga Resource Recovery Center,a member ofStanford Bio-Xand an affiliate of thePrecourt Institute for Energy. The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. Even human footprints left in the sand represent mountain-like obstacles in their path and waves washing up on the beach are another challenge, as they thrust them back on the dry land to try once again before finally being picked up by a return current and start swimming for their life. A wave of single-use plastic bans is sweeping the country and the globemost often on plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and takeout clamshells. National Geographic made a video on how helpless it feels to be caught in a plastic bag. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. According to the researchers, the turtle likely mistook the straw for food and swallowed it. This means that you need to first educate yourself about the problem. Exposure to microplastics, as well as the chemicals that are added to plastics during processing, harm our health. Thus, plastic straws cant be recycled. Plastic, in general, is one of the biggest pollutants in the world. These tiny plastic particles have been found in our oceans, soil, and even in the air. 13.07.2022 Harry Brown THE TOP 10 REASONS TO DO NOT USE THE STRAW O This requires the usage of 500 million straws Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful Every day in the United States. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. (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. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. 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. Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. 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. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. Prior the ban, 70 percent of livestock losses were attributed to plastic bag ingestion. If plastic straws are completely banned, local small businesses like boba tea shops will have to look for pricier alternatives. By 2030, CEO James Quincey has pledged to use 50 percent recycled material in its bottles and cans and recycle one bottle or can. Cause of environmental pollution 2. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Some microplastics are even small by design, like the microbeads used in facial scrubs or the microfibers in polyester clothing. Thoughtful laws are needed to control the problem and at the same time encourage innovation. Once a person gets into the habit of bringing reusable bags when shopping, it is not much of an inconvenience at all. Accompanied by high social accountability and musical garbage trucks, that strategy has proved wildly effective: the island now reports recycling rates above 50 percent. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. The ban also kept them from littering neighborhoods and the environment. Fortunately, microorganisms can also use cheap, renewable substrates, such as food wastes, biogas methane, carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen. In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. Your email address will not be published. Many people with disabilities rely on flexible straws to drink safely and independently.
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