When animals ingest plastic, it clogs up their digestive systems, which can easily choke or kill animals like birds or sea turtles. 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. 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. that do collect plastic bags and other plastic films and send them for proper 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. Most drop-off collection points accept plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene (plastic number 2) and low-density polyethylene (plastic number 4). Since the 1950s, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced, and half of that in the past 15 years alone. McDonald's recently announced . Its Plastic Incineration. When you sip beverages through a straw you end up inhaling more air into your belly than you would otherwise. Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. A last example of a true horror caused by plastic has been discovered just recently. 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. Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection Instead, you are actually reusing a product, and that means that you are utilizing earths resources smartly, while at the same time reducing waste. 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. Sadly, one of their newly acquired enemies is created by us who should protect them instead. If the environmental movement drew up a Most Unwanted list for 2018, the plastic drinking straw surely would land Then, you should try to explain your reasons for not wanting your products packed in plastic bags. This includes waste collection, regular cleanups to remove plastic bag litter along the roads or blown away from landfills and then even processing at landfill sites. 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. This means that the average consumption of plastic bags per person dropped from 328 bags per year to just 21 [20]. The subtropical gyres of the North Pacific Ocean are also documented to contain the highest concentrations of plastic. And Starbucks, which uses an estimated one billion plastic straws per year, is phasing them out in favor of paper ones. How Plastic Bottles Become Death Traps for Hermit Crabs. 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. 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. But a whopping 91 percent of all plastic isnt recycled at all. 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. 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. 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. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. You need to know what effects plastic bags have on the environment and health. NRDCs Eric Goldstein gives the scoop on the latest environmental villain and explains why plastic straws really are a big menace to our oceans. Reducing plastic use is the most effective means of avoiding this waste (and the impacts linked to plastic production and use). Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. 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. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. 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. China doesnt want our plastic waste anymore. 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 example, millions of discarded plastic bags clog water drainage channels and sewers in urban areas of Bangladesh. The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. After all, ask your grandparents, they will remember that during their time people were used to go shopping with their own bags or baskets. This leaves few other alternatives other than plastic straws. 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. 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. 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. Companies are trying to sell communities on a toxic solution to the plastic pollution crisis. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. 2023 Get Green Now. 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. Made from petroleum products, Baekland's " bakelite " plastic was a revolutionary material. What do the bans accomplish? Low rated: 2. 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. We produce 300 million tons of plastic each year worldwide, half of which is for single-use items. Her Stand-Up Paddleboard Is a Platform for Campaigning Against Plastic Pollution, A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields. Tiny plastic particles have been found in human feces. These examples could go on for a long time. As plastic bags tend to get caught in recycling machinery, most recycling facilities do not have the capacity to recycle plastic bags and therefore do not accept them. Read more about us. 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. 82 percent of the responding food service establishments were aware of the prohibition, and 69 percent of those establishments viewed the ban favorably. We should do likewise. 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. Look around and you will notice that plastic bags are the most common litter. Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. Scientists are showing that we are sending tons of tiny plastic particles into our soils each year, potentially affecting crops and our health. Even if plastic doesnt end up in the ocean, recycled plastic is often exported from high-income countries to developing countries to process. While an extra two cents may not seem like a lot, it could make a difference for some businesses that depend on plastic straws. 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. We will Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. As plastic bags are not disposed properly . Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. 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. A plastic straw ban would serve to reduce the number of plastic straws entering the ocean. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in. In fact, it is estimated that up to 10 million plastic bags are used every minute around the world [1]. 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. According to market research firms, Americans use about 350 million plastic straws every single day. Instead it ends up in landfills or in the environment. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. "To us, it was the 'gateway plastic' to the larger, more . Ill also go over whether or not plastic straw bans will actually help the environment, and explain everything else youll need to know. 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. It was first invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. Most retailers will get your point, but it can also happen that they will not be willing to sell you some products without placing it in their plastic bags because of having to oblige with some hygiene and sanitary standards (for example when selling meat products). 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. 2015-2023 Greentumble. Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. 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. Banning straws may confer 'moral license' allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. How To Make A Bracelet Out Of Plastic String? Rating: 5 (913 reviews) Highest rating: 5. 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. Do you wonder why? 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. The majority of plastic bags are made of polyethylene, a substance that is derived from crude oil refining and natural gas processing. Killing wildlife 5. One recent survey found plastics in 94 percent of tap water samples in the U.S. and in nearly every brand of bottled water. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Once a person gets into the habit of bringing reusable bags when shopping, it is not much of an inconvenience at all. Heres everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1. LEAPE:Microplastics pervade the oceans. If you are a kid reading this, and you want to get green and help the Earth, you are at the right place. Overall, the main reason for a plastic straw ban is to help the environment by preventing plastic straws pollution. Then, the straw got stuck in the turtles nose after she/he tried to cough the straw back out. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. You can be sure of one thing, though. Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. 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. What does occur in most instances is that when out in the environment, the plastic breaks up into tiny microscopic pieces that get deposited in soils (where we grow food) or contaminate waterways. Consumer outrage about the plastics crisis is already commanding attention from big companies and from many governments. They're bad for the environment, kill marine life and damage human health. Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of pollution found on beaches and in oceans all over the world. Stanford experts discuss the limitations of these bans and the potential for meaningful change. In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. The manufacturing of reusable bags or compostable alternatives to plastic bags offers a new opportunity to create sustainable products and provide jobs that go with them. Problematic degradation 4. Our plastic addiction is having a devastating impact on our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. Is the Tide Turning on Our Plastic Addiction? Starbucks plans to phase out plastic straws by 2020. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. Plastic straws only account for roughly one percent of the total amount of waste plastic found in the ocean. 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. Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment. If plastic straws are completely banned, local small businesses like boba tea shops will have to look for pricier alternatives. (Photo credit: Shutterstock). Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. It is good for our environment, health and global climate. Once a paper product has been contaminated with food or drink, it must be disposed of in a landfill. 1. Your email address will not be published. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. Instead of searching for another buyer, maybe some soul-searching is in order. American beaver populations are booming in the western United States as conditions grow hotter and drier. 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. They prevent millions of tons of plastic from entering the waste stream each year. What about you? Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs. . This strategy has been adopted by some countries and municipalities so far and has proven to greatly reduce plastic bag usage by consumers. LEAPE:There are two clear imperatives. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. 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. The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. 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]. As it turns out, many microorganisms make moldable bioplastic polymers that are fully degradable. [PDF] Skip The Straw - 10 Reasons Fact Sheet - Kids. The reason to worry is that scientists do not know how our metabolism and immunity will react to the increased concentration of plastic particles in our system. Straws made of plastic contribute to the pollution of our seas and streams. Accompanied by high social accountability and musical garbage trucks, that strategy has proved wildly effective: the island now reports recycling rates above 50 percent. For example, in Botswana, the consumption of plastic bags dropped by 50 percent after the introduction of the tax in 2007. Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. 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. In 2015 researchers from the University of Georgia estimated that between 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic per year make their way into the oceans via people living within 30 miles of a coast. 2. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. Theyve even made their way up to the secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. (Source: Water in the West), Analysis reveals how restoring relatively narrow forest buffers could substantially improve regional water quality and carbon storage in Costa Rica and elsewhere. An Oregon community is making spectacular statues out of ocean plastic to raise awareness about a crisis at sea. Have a look yourself to imagine the suffering of these animals. Not easy to recycle 7. Overall, the goal of a plastic straw ban should be to increase public awareness for single-use plastics and their nasty effects on the environment. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, as an environmental enthusiast, heres what I think about this ban. Each year on two far-flung Australian islands, more than half a million hermit crabs die after becoming trapped inside our plastic waste. We use them to drink beverages at home and we get them at almost every restaurant. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. How? Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Harmful to human health 6. 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. Facebook; Contact Now . 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. Interestingly, these granules contain the seeds of their own destruction: enzymes that break the polymer down when it is needed for food. We should also try to give up plastic straws if we are capable of doing so. Our reliance on these plastics means we are accumulating waste at a staggering rate. We do not know the full impact of microplastics exceeding the mass of plankton in the ocean. What Is Plastic Made Of And How Is It Manufactured? This could negatively reflect on their income. In fact, plastic straws only make up around 0.03 percent of total plastic waste by mass. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. In addition, despite the fact that the FDA has deemed this to be safe for consumption, chemicals from the plastic may seep into liquids, releasing substances that have the potential to influence estrogen levels. CRIDDLE:We need to think about what incentives will promote a culture of recycling and innovation with respect to waste streams. Plastic Straws: Is Paper Really Better for the Environment? Single use plastics wreak havoc on wildlife and the earth. NDLA National Disability Leadership Alliance: Nothing About Us Without Us. 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. Each day, the United States of America uses 500 million drinking straws. (Its also important to remember that waste management is just one part of the global materials cycle. They're not alone. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. In New York, 23 billion plastic bags are used by residents each year. Simply, refuse them when offered and bring your own reusable bag when shopping. Required fields are marked *. 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. These pieces can be so small that they are invisible to our eye. India, for example, generates 25,940 tons of plastic waste every day but collects only 60 percent of it. The Pasig River is the eight worst source of ocean plastic pollution in the world. Individual actions can lead to collective actions. 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. The problem with plastic straws is that they are one of the biggest causes of unnecessary plastic pollution. They also arent accepted by recycling facilities because they can jam recycling machinery (due to their small size). Leape has long been a leader in ocean conservation efforts. What Does the Plastic Bag Ban Mean for New Yorkers? Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. 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. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. It started with cardboard straws, but once plastic production in America increased, people realized it was quicker and cheaper to produce plastic straws. Let us know if you liked this article. 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 Earths ocean surface. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Instead of investing in quality goods that will last, we often prioritize convenience over durability and consideration of long-term impacts. About; Disability Vote Blog; Organizer's Forum; Issues; News; NDLA Webinars But should plastic straws really be banned? Alarmingly, scientists estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050. 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). 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. Car Modifications for Electric Vehicles: Whats Possible. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. LEAPE:Plastic straws are only a tiny fraction of the problem less than 1 percent. 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.
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