Fortunately, microorganisms can also use cheap, renewable substrates, such as food wastes, biogas methane, carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen. Consumer outrage about the plastics crisis is already commanding attention from big companies and from many governments. 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. 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. An additional problem with plastic grocery bags recycling is their cleanliness. By simply using less plastic, you can help keep marine life from eating and getting entangled in garbage. What Is Plastic Made Of And How Is It Manufactured? JIM LEAPE: Our oceans are currently swimming with plastics. We need to make fully biodegradable polymers that are cost-competitive. Making just one simple swap, like purchasing a reusable water bottle, can spare the environment hundreds of plastic bottles each year. The country instituted the ban in 2013 to minimize livestock deaths. Some microplastics are even small by design, like the microbeads used in facial scrubs or the microfibers in polyester clothing. Our addiction to plastic also has negative impacts on the climate. 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. Martin Grimm/Picture-alliance via Associated Press. 10 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned 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. This is because the customers voluntarily reduce their consumption of plastic bags, which in turn provides enough time for retailers to find suitable alternatives and switch to them. Forty years after the launch of the first universal recycling symbol, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. This blog covers a variety of topics including plastic pollution, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and much more. Each day, the United States of America uses 500 million drinking straws. So, for example, companies need to not only make products that are recyclable, but actually make them out of recycled or truly biodegradable material. 12 Reasons for Banning Plastic Bags: Plastic Bags Are Made With Non-Renewable Energy Plastic Bags Use Up Lots Of Energy Plastic Bags End Up In The Ocean Beach Plastic Litter Is On The Rise Plastic Bags Kill Millions Of Animals Every Year Plastic Takes A Long Time To Disintegrate Plastic Is Harming The Ocean's Coral Plastic Bags Contain Toxins Reusable shopping bags are very durable and can be reused many times over the course of their useful life. Plastic straws are not the first iteration of straws. Criddle and Leape are also senior fellows at theStanford Woods Institute for the Environment. A recent report showed that plastic production contributes to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions at every point in its life cycle. In 2015 a mere 24 of these ethane cracker facilities in the United States had the combined carbon output of 3.8 million passenger vehicles. "To us, it was the 'gateway plastic' to the larger, more . 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. Plastics also permeate freshwater systems like rivers and streams. 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. The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned Made from fossil fuels 3. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Banning Straws and Bags Won't Solve our Plastic Problem Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they can drink. For many in the disabled community, the availability of plastic straws is essential for their well-being and survival. InCalifornia, a bill to ban straws unless requested at dine-in restaurants is awaiting a signature from the governor. FNB News - Choose the right straw | FNB News So, plastic waste only speeds up the destruction of these most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy 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. What Does the Plastic Bag Ban Mean for New Yorkers? For the oceans sake, wed better hope so. Have a look yourself to imagine the suffering of these animals. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. It is possible to enhance ones risk of developing cavities by using a straw while consuming liquids that are either sweet or acidic. Criddle has evaluated use of microorganisms to biodegrade plastic materials and to synthesize biodegradable bioplastics from waste feedstocks. TOP 10 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned BEST and NEWEST Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers. The ban also kept them from littering neighborhoods and the environment. 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. 82 percent of the responding food service establishments were aware of the prohibition, and 69 percent of those establishments viewed the ban favorably. 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. 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. (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. 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]. 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. 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. It was first invented in 1907 by Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably straws. 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. 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.). This is the case particularly in Southeast Asia, which has begun to import much of the plastic that used to go to China for recycling. But these cases make up a small fraction of single-use plastic. 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? In Germany alone, we use 40 billion plastic straws every year. We should also try to give up plastic straws if we are capable of doing so. Plastic bags. Globally, 8 to 10 percent of our current oil supply goes to a plastic bag manufacture [4]. Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? [Pros & Cons of a Straw Ban] 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. Summary: Reduce your use of single-use plastics. The trend has already started. In fact, it is estimated that up to 10 million plastic bags are used every minute around the world [1]. Why Are Plastic Straws Bad for the Environment & Should Be Banned But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. 1 producer of plastic waste in the world. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. 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. Plastic bags and plastic products overall contain substances that are harmful to our health. Help raise awareness of fellow consumers that means everyone when you think about it (unless they dont shopever). No! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Nows the Time. Large producers of single-use plastics can make a big environmental impact. Talk to the owners of the restaurants you frequent. An Oregon community is making spectacular statues out of ocean plastic to raise awareness about a crisis at sea. Plastic utensils are convenient and straws are fun for kids, but much of that plastic eventually winds up in a landfill or as litter. On their long journey, they will encounter many difficulties and only a small portion of them will survive. You can be sure of one thing, though. The Pasig River in the Philippines is another scary example of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment. 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. According to market research firms, Americans use about 350 million plastic straws every single day. It topped 60 million tons (54.4 million metric tons) in 2010 based on a September 2018 report titled "Plastic Pollution."But China announced it plans to outlaw the production and sale of . Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. Actress Nina Nelson and other celebrities made a video claiming that plastic. Car Modifications for Electric Vehicles: Whats Possible. We should do likewise. BY Rob Jordan, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, As Colorado River wanes, water supplies and ecosystems hang in the balance, Riverfront forest restoration can deliver outsized benefits, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, An AI solution to climate models gravity wave problem, Beavers will become a bigger boon to river water quality as U.S. West warms. Recycling more plastic, more frequently, reduces its footprint. We hear everywhere around us that we need to save energy. 15. 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. 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. Oene Moedt-Foto Natura/Minden via National Geographic Images, Major Corporations and Single-Use Plastics, secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and research has suggested that human exposure, 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic, one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector, could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030, an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines. Instead of searching for another buyer, maybe some soul-searching is in order. 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. This means that you need to first educate yourself about the problem. It means that most bags can be recycled. American beaver populations are booming in the western United States as conditions grow hotter and drier. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. But, are paper straws really better for the environment? 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. 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. There are some great initiatives that strive to provide jobs for women in rural communities with limited possibilities of securing monthly income. Some experts estimate that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. They suspect that it may add stress on the liver by introducing more pathogens into the body. The single biggest reason why people want to ban plastic straws is because of their negative effects on the environment.