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. Why? Prior the ban, 70 percent of livestock losses were attributed to plastic bag ingestion. Made from petroleum products, Baekland's " bakelite " plastic was a revolutionary material. 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. Plastic bags are often mistaken for food by animals, birds, and marine life. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned - manufacturer, factory How To Make A Bracelet Out Of Plastic String? Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. Microplastics were found in soft drinks like Coca Cola, in tap water, in seafood It has contaminated our food chain, so it should not surprise us that it can be tracked in our body. There are some great initiatives that strive to provide jobs for women in rural communities with limited possibilities of securing monthly income. Cause of environmental pollution 2. Scientists have recorded some species of zooplankton eating tiny plastic particles. 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. Instead it ends up in landfills or in the environment. Large producers of single-use plastics can make a big environmental impact. The problem with plastic straws is that they are one of the biggest causes of unnecessary plastic pollution. 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. In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. National Geographic made a video on how helpless it feels to be caught in a plastic bag. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our world today. Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. 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. Shuddering and unable to breathe, he vomited up five plastic bags. LEAPE:Microplastics pervade the oceans. (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. 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. A straw with our iced coffee, a plastic bag to carry our takeout, a wrapper on a candy bar: taken individually, each seems harmless. The crisis is so serious that many people are saying that plastic straws should be outlawed. An outright ban on plastic straws would create an accessibility problem for disabled people while dining in public. They are a part of our modern lives, and we dont tend to think much about them. 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. Communities and consumers can play vital roles in sparking action. Plastic straws, being so lightweight and non-biodegradable, are readily carried into the water, where they eventually break down into smaller and smaller pieces of microplastic. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Plastic bags and plastic products overall contain substances that are harmful to our health. 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]. Thanks for signing up. Paper straws cost on average around 2.5 cents ($0.025), whereas plastic straws cost only half a cent ($0.005). 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As communities act to ban single-use plastics and individual consumers raise concerns, bigger actors pay attention. Why is plastic bad for the environment? Leape has long been a leader in ocean conservation efforts. Our plastic addiction is having a devastating impact on our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. 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. They suspect that it may add stress on the liver by introducing more pathogens into the body. 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]. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. Polypropylene is a form of plastic that is frequently used in the production of straws. Only then would a plastic straw ban be able to actually help preserve the environment. 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. 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. We dont know how it will in the long term affect plankton-feeding species and their predators. 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. It is possible to enhance ones risk of developing cavities by using a straw while consuming liquids that are either sweet or acidic. Animals living in the ocean might frequently confuse the plastic for food. If the answer is yes, you should know that this inadvertent overconsumption of single-use plastic carries with it a very high cost to the environment, which in turn also negatively affects our health. Although single-use plastic pollution accumulates most visibly on our streets, in fact our water suffers even more. Why Plastic Bags And Straws Should Not Be Banned Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. The Last Straw: 5 Reasons You Should Ditch Plastic Straws 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. This could negatively reflect on their income. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. Your email address will not be published. and reefs composed of coral, F) I Plastic straws are one of the top five most often used items. 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. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. Straws are notorious for being readily blown away by the wind. Low rated: 2. Avoid plastic wrap altogether by storing leftovers in reusable containers. 2. Have a look yourself to imagine the suffering of these animals. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option. Plastic straws shouldn't be banned - The Rubicon Additionally, someone has to pay the cost of dealing with plastic bags in the waste stream. Read more about us. Plastic fragments in the ocean such as those from plastic bags can absorb pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) easily. Banning straws may confer 'moral license' allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. Let us know if you liked this article. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Bags Should Be Banned | Greentumble 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. In fact, I just listed many reasons and points in this article that support both sides of the argument. Martin Grimm/Picture-alliance via Associated Press. 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. Well, before putting it into the laundry basket, take a look at it closely. Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. By 2030, CEO James Quincey has pledged to use 50 percent recycled material in its bottles and cans and recycle one bottle or can. 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. Is the Tide Turning on Our Plastic Addiction? For example, in Botswana, the consumption of plastic bags dropped by 50 percent after the introduction of the tax in 2007. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. 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 many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned? Thus, plastic straws cant be recycled. Juan Cristobal Cobo/Bloomberg via Getty Images. The country instituted the ban in 2013 to minimize livestock deaths. The small pilot whale, found in a Thai canal this past June, is another symptom of a crisis in the worlds oceans. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. InCalifornia, a bill to ban straws unless requested at dine-in restaurants is awaiting a signature from the governor. A wave of single-use plastic bans is sweeping the country and the globemost often on plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and takeout clamshells. 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 Straws, Ives says, made the perfect target: too inconsequential to really be missed but so ubiquitous that their absence would be noticed. Forty years after the launch of the first universal recycling symbol, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. NDLA National Disability Leadership Alliance: Nothing About Us Without Us. 82 percent of the responding food service establishments were aware of the prohibition, and 69 percent of those establishments viewed the ban favorably. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. Overall, the main reason for a plastic straw ban is to help the environment by preventing plastic straws pollution. Some companies are taking initiative on their own. They discovered that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestl products were found most often. 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. 2. O This requires the usage of 500 million straws, Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful, Every day in the United States. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. In the United States, California has banned single-use plastic bags in 2016, but the city of San Francisco has locally issued this ban already in 2012 and consumers pay a little fee for other alternatives like compostable bags or recycled paper bags. Reducing plastic use is the most effective means of avoiding this waste (and the impacts linked to plastic production and use). Plastic straws have an especially high propensity to end up in our rivers after being thrown away. Plastic is more sanitary and safer to use than other alternatives. Have some dirty clothes that you just wore today? Single use plastics wreak havoc on wildlife and the earth. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. 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. Then, they have a propensity to break down into microplastics, which then clutter the ecosystems in question. This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as time and place elements, style, and grammar); you cant resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you cant republish our material wholesale or automaticallyyou need to select stories individually; you can't republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should drop us a note to let us know when youve used one of our stories. Facebook; Contact Now . On their long journey, they will encounter many difficulties and only a small portion of them will survive. . So, for example, companies need to not only make products that are recyclable, but actually make them out of recycled or truly biodegradable material. And they help shift consumer mind-sets, as people begin to recognize that exorbitant and avoidable waste is not sustainable. The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. 10 Reasons You Should Give Up Plastic Straws - sustainablemotown The majority of plastic bags are made of polyethylene, a substance that is derived from crude oil refining and natural gas processing. Most of it is either dumped in landfills or ends up in the ocean. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers. (Its also important to remember that waste management is just one part of the global materials cycle. edinburgh airport address. If it looks clean, smells clean (and sounds clean! Her Stand-Up Paddleboard Is a Platform for Campaigning Against Plastic Pollution, A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. 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. CRIDDLE:We need to think about what incentives will promote a culture of recycling and innovation with respect to waste streams. We will Plastic Straws: Is Paper Really Better for the Environment? 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? Refineries where crude oil is turned into plastic make up one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector. 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. LEAPE:Plastic straws are only a tiny fraction of the problem less than 1 percent. How? Then, the straw got stuck in the turtles nose after she/he tried to cough the straw back out. Starbucks recently announced that it would phase out use of plastic straws by the year 2020. | | 10 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned This means that the average consumption of plastic bags per person dropped from 328 bags per year to just 21 [20]. When the monsoon rains start, streets get waterlogged just after the first few minutes because the water cannot pass through clogged sewerage pipes. 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. But single-use plastics come with a steep environmental priceone that well be paying off for millennia. And recent studies found plastic in the guts of 90 percent of the seabirds tested and 100 percent of the turtles. The answer isnt as simple as you may think: While its true that paper straws arent as harmful as plastic straws, this doesnt mean that, Read More Paper vs. Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. 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. Recycling more plastic, more frequently, reduces its footprint. 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.). And cracker plantswhich break, or crack, ethane molecules, a component of natural gas, into the chemical building blocks of plastic productsare energy intensive and highly polluting. 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.) Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. Or you may need to accept that plastic bag this time and then start campaigning for a plastic bag ban in your area . 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. 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. A complete ban on plastic straws would harm disabled people, which definitely isnt the goal of such a ban. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. Reasons why smoking should be banned articlestrabajos But a whopping 91 percent of all plastic isnt recycled at all. Help us break the cycle of causing unnecessary harm and damage in the name of "convenience". These are known to be hormone-disrupting chemicals. The cashier usually understands, only had to do what instructed and what most customers expect (unfortunately) from him or her. It was first invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. We should also try to give up plastic straws if we are capable of doing so. But beyond these impacts, the bans have cultural effects. 12 Compelling Reasons For Banning Plastic Bags [2023 Update] - MindsetEco 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. 2023 Get Green Now. Avoid individually packaged goods, like snack packs. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. Es gratis registrarse y presentar tus propuestas laborales. 10 Reasons Why Plastic Bags Should Be Banned | IUCN Water That's a whole 900 tons of plastic waste produced every day, and that's just for plastic straws! Author: floridadep.gov. If you are a kid reading this, and you want to get green and help the Earth, you are at the right place. This way, disabled people can continue to be served, while also reducing the number of plastic straws that we use. (Some places are going so far as to ban single-use plastics entirely; most notably, India intends to go this route by 2022.) Not only does banning single-use plastic reduce pollution, but it also reduces demand for plastic production thats contributing to global climate change. It also took 100% of those plastic grocery bags out of the recycling system, where they bound up machinery and increased costs. Plastic bag bansideally accompanied by a fee on paper bagsare also catching on. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. 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. Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? [Pros & Cons of a Straw Ban] Made from fossil fuels 3. TIME for Kids | Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? Many of you may have heard it already. The very best alternative is a reusable bag. For most, straws are not a necessity, but a convenience. Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. Straws made of plastic contribute to the pollution of our seas and streams. We need to make fully biodegradable polymers that are cost-competitive. Some microplastics are even small by design, like the microbeads used in facial scrubs or the microfibers in polyester clothing. 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. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. That is why the United Nations Environmental Programme Secretariat has recommended a ban on all plastic bags globally. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. Alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper, may not always be effective for disabled people: paper can be bitten through or broken easily. CRIDDLE:Cost is a huge issue. LEAPE:There are two clear imperatives. Plastic straws are everywhere we look. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. Even when you dont see it, these indestructible particles are everywhere around us, including in the food chain. PDF Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection 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. New research shows their prolific dam building benefits river water quality so much, it outweighs the damaging influence of climate-driven droughts. Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. Plastics bags are not so much necessary that man cannot live without it. Reasons why smoking should be banned articles jobs This measure should encourage people to switch to reusable alternatives. We've all become too hooked on the availability and comfort of the stuff. We hear everywhere around us that we need to save energy. 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. Consumer outrage about the plastics crisis is already commanding attention from big companies and from many governments. 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. But this comes along with many unanswered questions. 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-. The production of these bags is very energy intensive. If environmental zealots and sycophants get their way, you won't be allowed to sip it through a plastic straw. 6461 garfield street hollywood, fl. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy 5 Metals in your Home that can be Recycled for Cash, How exactly bidets offer a healthier, green option for your bathroom, A Closer Look at General Motors (GM) Sustainability Initiatives. Sugar and oils are too expensive. In Germany alone, we use 40 billion plastic straws every year. Activists Say Straws Should Be Banned Because They Are a 'Gateway Plastic' Ask if they have nonplastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags. Scientists are showing that we are sending tons of tiny plastic particles into our soils each year, potentially affecting crops and our health. TOP 10 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned BEST and NEWEST 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. 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. Post date: 18 yesterday. We shouldnt ban plastic straws if it creates an accessibility issue. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. And when it comes to waste that lasts forever, every ton counts. Since the 1950s, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced, and half of that in the past 15 years alone. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. The ban also kept them from littering neighborhoods and the environment. Plastic straws only account for roughly one percent of the total amount of waste plastic found in the ocean. Start from yourself and slowly expand to your family and friends. On other issues, from overfishing to deforestation, we have seen that consumer-facing companies like McDonalds, Unilever and Walmart can be exquisitely sensitive to the concerns of their customers.