One of the most prolific and common item of the food consumption industry would have to be the plastic straw, until recently. Across the world, straw bans are beginning to take place and major companies such as McDonald’s and Starbucks are planning to phase out the use of plastic straws by 2020
One of the most prolific and common item of the food consumption industry would have to be the plastic straw, until recently. Across the world, straw bans are beginning to take place and major companies such as McDonald’s and Starbucks are planning to phase out the use of plastic straws by 2020 (Gibbens, 2019). Although the straw bans have not yet reached the homes of consumers, steps can be taken by those who consider themselves environmentally conscious to lower the disposable plastic count. Australian scientists Denise Hardesty and Chris Wilcox have estimated that about 8.3 billion plastic straws litter the world’s coastlines (Borenstein, 2018). Polypropylene, or Type 5 plastic, is the type of plastic that is used to make single use straws (Brissette, 2018). Although this type of plastic is recyclable, it is not biodegradable as are none of the plastics that are commonly used (Geyer, et al., 2017). Plastic straws are commonplace items that can be easily removed from daily use with a little ingenuity. An example of a great alternative for plastic straws would be these steel straws offered from Amazon: Amazon Reusable Stainless Steel Straws
They come in the form of straight and bended and are offered in the colors steel (silver) and rose gold, which can make a lovely addition to any kitchen collection. They also come with a cleaning brush to make washing them simple and fast. Purchasing these straws is a great way to not only promote sustainable shopping, but make a contribution to protecting the oceans and marine life. One can not only feel good about their monetary spending with this product, but also their environmental participation. This product enhances sustainable living because it decreases the use of plastics which will only add to the national issue at hand. In the recent past, China accepted many types of plastic waste from the United States and it was a booming trade business.
However, from the moment that China initiated Operation National Sword in 2017, the usage of plastic in the United States has become more problematic. This new policy dictates that China will no longer be accepting 24 types of scrap and has even stricter standards for what they will accept (Higgs, 2019). It is therefore crucial at such a time as this to be a person that chooses to diminish their plastic expenditure and increase their usage of reusable items. Recycling is not what it used to be. Purchasing steel straws may seem like a small and rather insignificant step in the journey to environmentally sustainable consumerism, but it is an important one since straws are not only everywhere in drinks, but they are also everywhere in the oceans and the coastlines. To take it a step further, the use of these steel straws does not have to remain limited to home use only, they are small and easily transportable. This means that they may also be used in restaurants, fast food chains, and wherever the user may find themselves in need of a straw. A commitment to sustainable shopping and living can begin today, in the form of these reusable steel straws.
