#StopSucking

9/16/2018

A few months ago, a heartbreaking video went viral. A sea turtle had a plastic straw stuck up its nose. Here is the shortened video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJmi_gwziy4. The original video shows it had taken about 10 minutes to remove this straw and that he turtle was obviously in pain the entire time. This video opened many people's eyes to the environmental damage that plastics have. About 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastic in their stomachs. Plastic pollution is a very serious problem, and if a solution has not been created, it is projected that by the year 2050 there will be more plastics in our oceans than sea life.

Plastic Straws are one of the hardest things to recycle. We can put them into recycling, but they are so lightweight that when it comes to separating the plastics, they drop through sorting screens, mix with other materials, and are too small to separate. In the end, they contaminate recycling loads or just become trash. Straws primarily end up in the ocean because of littering.

People are pushing for plastic straws to be banned. In July, Seattle became the first major city to ban plastic straws and utensils. San Francisco passed a similar law that will take effect in 2019. Starbucks has vowed that by 2020 straws will be removed from their stores. A few major airlines and hotels have also committed to the straw ban.

What do you think about the straw ban? Is it reasonable and practical? Do you think it is a solution or just a step in the right direction? Should it be a city and business movement, or a statewide movement?

Source: www.strawlessocean.org/faq/

46 Comments

McKinlee

9/19/2018 12:20:24 pm

I think the ban on plastic straws is pretty reasonable and fair. There are plenty of other options than plastic straws, and more individuals and companies are developing new ideas. I think it’s great that the proper steps are being taken to save our environment and I hope that more people will come around to this change!

Kelsey

9/22/2018 03:17:13 pm

Me too, it is refreshing to hear about a positive change in our ways versus the negative. I think when folks hear about success stories, it makes them feel encouraged and might give them motivation to make a difference as well!

Kenna

9/23/2018 12:52:53 pm

I agree, the steps being taken are great. The more companies and places that enforce these types of bans are a blessing.

Conrad D.

9/23/2018 01:20:11 pm

More people is exactly what this movement needs. Bans will make a huge difference, but if the people don't believe what they bans support is right, then many will still continue with their old ways, whether it is against the law or not.

Katarina

9/23/2018 05:26:51 pm

I agree. I am glad we are advancing in helping save our environment. I hope that more companies will see this and develop more ideas to create different alternatives to other plastic products.

Kelsey

9/20/2018 01:43:27 pm

The straw ban is a step in the right direction. However, it won't have a huge impact on plastics in the sea because there are so many other plastics floating around. To turn around the intense plastic pollution in the oceans, a much greater plastic ban must be put in place. Doing things like using cloth grocery bags, cloth snack bags, buying goods in bulk, marketers and packagers reducing the amount of useless plastic wrapping around foods, reusable containers for everything from food products to cleaning products, and so many more changes would make the real difference here. We basically have to change our lifestyle to change plastic pollution. A serious issue in the oceans right now is the plastics are breaking down from weathering, waves and sun which creates micro plastics. This form of plastic has severe consequences because it is easier for sea life to ingest when they can't see or smell it (and are nearly impossible to clean up). These micro plastics are also flowing into the oceans from washing machine water. Every time you wash polyester clothing, plastic micro fibers infiltrate the water and eventually end up in the ocean. Micro plastics are not just effecting sea life. The higher the plastics work their way the food chain, the more concentrated they become. So, by the time sea food reaches our mouths, the food is highly concentrated with micro plastics. We are getting a taste of our own medicine, literally. Banning plastic straws is a great movement that needs to expand and encompass all plastics to make an effective difference.

Brooke

9/22/2018 09:37:22 pm

A ban on straws, as insignificant as it seems in the immense amount of plastics, is a definite step in the right direction. But it is only that; a step, albeit a big one. The actual invention of straws seems like a bad joke-- we had to create a tube to consume the beverage rather than be bothered to actually use our hands to lift the cup to our mouths ourselves. Today, their presence is commonplace. And yet they have caused even more harm than good in the long run. Now that we have recognized the harmful impact upon the environment, it's about time we act. Honestly, who can say no to this first step-- even if one does not agree, they will follow through because of how it would reflect upon them if they refuse. No one wants to be knows as an animal-hater simply because they like straws. Fitting how, only now, once our own poison has the potential to harm us, do we act. As Kelsey states, we would need to change our lifestyles in order to truly make a difference. The real question; is society willing to make that change?

Brooke

9/22/2018 09:38:39 pm

(This is my full post, I guess I accidentally posted it as a comment)

Sadie

9/23/2018 04:47:10 pm

Something as insignificant as a plastic straw should be very easy to not include in the human lifestyle. But it's not like that for everyone. Some of those basic white girls just "can't even" without a straw for their pumpkin spice latte. ;) Those kinds of people were just raised wrong and need to step up to their responsibilities as a person.

Conrad D.

9/23/2018 01:15:58 pm

I strongly believe that banning things are the wrong way to go about it. While it may be effective, bans are very restrictive on freedoms. The people make the decision themselves, not have it made for them. What if there was even more promotional videos and articles made? How about if the price of plastics are greatly increased so people are discouraged from buying them? What if other forms of incentives are offered to remove plastics rather than banning them outright?

McKinlee

9/23/2018 04:02:56 pm

I didn’t even consider the ban restricting freedom, I think you’re right about there being other ways that could help and may even be better.

Sariah

9/23/2018 06:41:45 pm

When you were talking about the different ways we could improve the straw problem it reminded me a lot about the essay question on plastic bags we did in AP. It talked about places banning them but also just charging for them. If you charge for them then people usually will say that’s stupid and not use one. Maybe that would be our best bet for plastic straws. I think it would be worth a try.

Challis

9/23/2018 03:18:42 pm

I agree with you. I know that this will not destroy our ocean pollution problem but helping a little bit is certainly better than nothing. Hopefully, the movement will expand.

McKinlee

9/23/2018 04:00:17 pm

I think that even if banning straws won’t make a huge impact it’s still awesome that the step is being taken. Even a bit of plastic is going to make a difference no matter how small. But I do agree that a larger plastic ban needs to be put into place!

Saylor

9/23/2018 06:32:27 pm

I agree! Just banning straws won't do much but I think it's a small step that will help show people that if we dont take care of our garbage we can effect everything around us! Animals are dying because of our mistakes, even if we aren't realizing. Maybe with the ban of straws it will start a bigger realization that all plastic is bad for the environment?

Sariah

9/23/2018 06:45:26 pm

You really are looking at the bigger picture here and I think that is vital. We need to “kill” the source not just the branches off of it. It is crazy to think about the major environmental problems we have and how many major ones there are. It is difficult to think of how to completely solve a problem so I do agree that in some cases kill the branches is still a step in a way.

Kenna

9/24/2018 09:34:07 am

I am absolutely for a greater plastic ban. Our oceans are important and need to be preserved. The straw ban is only the first step.

Kenna

9/23/2018 12:50:09 pm

It is great that these restaurants and cities are doing this. I believe it is definitely a step in the right direction but only a step. To really make a difference the whole country need to impose this ban. There are many other plastic trash in our oceans though, so while this would help it only puts a dent in the trash level. The only way to truly help would be to actually recycle and/or ban all plastics.

Saylor

9/23/2018 06:37:59 pm

That's true, the only way this will help is if everyone realizes that we are harming the environment. Just banning straws isn't going to do much especially if the whole country doesnt get in on it. Maybe people will start realizing if they want to be able to use materials that harm the world, they have to dispose of them correctly. Straws aren't necessary for our survival, we'll make it with out them if we cant take care of our garbage.

Jazz-Lynn

9/23/2018 07:59:00 pm

Do you think that there should be a higher price on plastics or a complete ban?

Conrad D.

9/23/2018 01:09:34 pm

I agree that removing and reducing straws is definitely the right thing to do. While it is certainly progress in helping our environment, I do not think that making laws banning it is the proper way to go about it. There already are way too many laws saying what people can and can't do. It should be the peoples choice. A way to still get the same results would be for states and cities to offer tax breaks and other encouragement if straws and other plastics are used. It is ultimately the peoples job to do this, we need have more people such as Boyan Slat. He has created a new method to clean plastics from the Pacific to see more on his efforts look at https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/09/still-controversial-plastic-trash-collector-ocean-begins-maiden-voyage.

Challis

9/23/2018 03:11:28 pm

I would understand letting the people choose if the matter was over something necessary but plastic straws are not something any of us really need. There are alternatives to plastic that companies could make new straws out of so we wouldn't even have to give up straws in general so I don't see the harm in banning them.

Jesse B.

9/23/2018 07:03:20 pm

Your idea for incentives is a great and sound one. Sadly, some people will need more than just a picture of a animal dying because of plastic to change their minds. I am right there with you in that we as people are the ones who will be doing the changing. Thanks for including the link too! It is a really interesting project.

Bailey

9/23/2018 09:04:23 pm

I agree that it should be a choice. The 'can and can't' laws are becoming a bit excessive, as they don't provide people with options. People don't like being told what to do, so if we gave them the opportunity to choose between good and bad, 90% of people would choose the good option because they feel like they have free will in the matter.

Challis

9/23/2018 03:02:02 pm

Banning plastic straws is definitely reasonable to me. It is not like plastic straws are a necessity to mankind. We are perfectly capable of drinking a glass of water without them and it seems as though they do a lot more harm than good. If I have to give up plastic straws so that an innocent turtle can live, I personally, am willing to do so. And, if you can't live without a straw, people have certainly come up with alternatives to plastic straws that are made out of things like paper, bamboo, glass, or straws that are made out of straw. Banning straws will not completely cure our ocean pollution problem because there is so much but it is a good first step and hopefully there will be more movement in the long run because of it.

Sadie

9/23/2018 05:08:36 pm

I agree. There are plenty of alternatives to plastic straws. No one absolutely needs them. They are just an environmentally harmful, personal, luxury item.

Katarina

9/23/2018 05:22:14 pm

I agree. I think someone needs to come up with a patent that after a certain amount of time the straw deteriorates or something so then maybe for somethings we can still have straws but not harm the environment as much.

Brooke

9/23/2018 06:02:35 pm

Exactly! There are many other alternatives to make stews with if need be, even if they are more expensive. People are willing to give up straws because of our love of animals, so this movement seems to be spreading.

Sadie

9/23/2018 04:32:18 pm

The fact that businesses are acknowledging this issue and actually doing something about it is amazing. Banning straws seems a little extreme though. Companies should just discontinue production and then people would have a harder time getting their hands on them. Plastic straws are not a necessity. Although these businesses are making a difference, it's still not going to do much. There is so much other plastic out there that people don't consider. Also, even if the US uses all this plastic, we are very good at disposing of it properly. All this plastic being dumped in the ocean? Only a miniscule percentage of it is from the US. It is from other countries like Africa and Asia. They don't have the tools for proper trash disposal. Helping those countries pick up their crap would be the biggest step towards the right direction in my opinion.

Rachel

9/23/2018 06:02:36 pm

Do you think that simply stopping production will stop the problem? I think that a ban is a smart solution because it will open the public's eyes to the severity of the problem. You are right though that straws and plastic from the US are only a small percentage of the plastic that gets dumped into the oceans each year. Do you think that there is a solution to the problem as a whole or will it take many small efforts and steps to finally accomplish the larger goal?

Brooke

9/23/2018 06:05:07 pm

It is pretty extraordinary that companies are onboard, being as beverages are one of the top sellers, straws hand in hand. It shows a good first step, especially since Starbucks has decided to go through with it, which ultimately sets an example for other companies to follow.

Jazz-Lynn Grant

9/23/2018 08:01:11 pm

I didn't think about the waste coming from other countries. Do you think that the ban will have any impact at all? How should we help these other countries with their trash?

Katarina

9/23/2018 05:12:33 pm

Personally I don't think this is a solution but l do think it's a step in the right direction. Although I think a lot of people may be upset with this banning it can help save our wildlife. Even if we have plastic straws for fountain drinks it will still save some sea life. In coffee drinks I don't think people not having a straw will terribly upset them but for fountain drinks that may be a different story. I think it helps our nation though to become more aware of our actions and this is helping increase our awareness of what we have done.

Rachel

9/23/2018 05:59:20 pm

Why do you think that it will make people so upset? Have we really become so self-centered that we care more about having a straw in our fountain drinks then about saving an animal's life? I agree that it will make our nation more aware of what we have done and I can only hope that people will begin to take responsibility for their actions.

Jesse B.

9/23/2018 07:16:23 pm

Absolutely. It would be an interruption to many Americans' daily lives and changing a routine can be really difficult for some people. I could see an increased amount of PSA's about single use plastics could aid in the awareness of the harmful ways of plastics straws and other products.

Jesse B.

9/23/2018 07:11:12 pm

I am right there with you in that a sudden change would anger some folks, but what do you offer as an alternate solution? Becoming more aware about how we (the US) effect the world is a good idea too.

Rachel

9/23/2018 05:57:06 pm

I am glad that Seattle took the lead in the straw ban. I believe that it is reasonable and practical that other cities follow suit. People do not need to have a straw for their drinks and if one small "inconvenience" could ensure a cleaner and safer environment then I feel that it is completely worth it. While this ban is not a solution, it is definitely a step in the right direction and I hope that it will progress from a city-wide law to a state-wide one. If people begin to recognize the problem and take responsibility for their actions, then I think the environment will be much cleaner and healthier.

Katherine

9/23/2018 08:28:22 pm

a straw ban is not just an “uncovenience” for some people. There are people with diseases that actually need a straw to drink. When I flew back from California about a month ago there was a guy on our plane who had some things g that made him super shaky. And due to the straw ban he wasn’t able to use a straw and he spilled his drink all over himself. I think that you’re right that we don’t really need drinks, I think that we should have an environmentally friendly solution to those who do need them.

Saylor

9/23/2018 06:29:23 pm

The straw ban is a step in the right direction. With how many people use straws every day, there is no way people will stop littering on their own (even if it is not on purpose). With all of the businesses banning straws it will help the environment. We don't need straws, we can still drink without them. It will be an inconvenience for some drinks like fountain drinks. If that small inconvenience is what it takes for society to realize that we are harming our environment I think it's a great idea.

Sariah

9/23/2018 06:35:30 pm

I believe this topic is especially prevelant today because of the amount of plastic our society is using. Things, like straws, utensials, toys, containers, bags that people use for a short time and then throw away. The deal with straws is we use billions of them a day at least because people like fountain drinks, fast food, and coffees. We as a society have made them apart of “life” you could say so banning them everywhere all at once would be difficult. I like how this is a gradual banning right now. Start small and it will grow. The hard thing is that we have already had it in our society so for some it will be hard to go back. I think making people aware of the damages it will help people make a different decision when using one possibly. This definitely not being the solution but moving in the right direction. I wonder if each person capable enough chose one thing in their life they were going to do to help the environment some way how it would affect our economy each year. But when we get into economics we could look at maybe what we could produce instead of billions of straws. Maybe we could be producing something with greater positive outcomes instead of negative like straws. I think people in our society are unaware of exactly how many products we produce daily are harmful to the world we live one.

Jazz-Lynn

9/23/2018 06:45:01 pm

I believe that the straw ban is a great step in the right direction, but there are more steps that need to be taken before the problem is solved. Straws are not necessary for consuming drinks and they cause many problems for sea creatures, so I would say that this ban is completely reasonable. Like some people, I prefer using straws to not, but if removing them from coffee shops will produce positive results, I can #stopsucking. I hope that this ban will advance to be a state-wide law.

Katherine

9/23/2018 08:29:56 pm

I agree that the straw ban is a step. I use straws a lot too even if I don’t need them. I agree that this should become a statewide ban. If states ban it then the rest of the country will hopefully follow suit.

Bailey

9/23/2018 09:06:42 pm

I don't think that the ban is 100% reasonable. There are other options besides just banning plastic straws entirely. Creating a special recycling plant for straws is one of them.

Jesse B.

9/23/2018 06:56:24 pm

Change can be a great thing, but in today’s world, change takes time. That is the case with the plastic straws that litter the Earth today. If an outright ban were to take place right now, it would be ineffective at preventing waste. Too many people and businesses use them to take them away immediately as well as people angered over the issue. What Starbucks is doing currently is what our government should model our system after. We should gradually phase out the plastic and replace them with a biodegradable alternative by diverting the resources used to make those plastics into something else like fuel. In addition to that, more incentives could be experimented with to discourage people from using single-use straws such as an extra cost to the consumer if they choose to get a straw with their beverage. We could also apply that concept to other single-use plastics like grocery bags.

Kelsey

9/23/2018 07:53:38 pm

Yes, I agree. A slow process will have to be made because an outright ban would cause economic problems and is asking a lot in a short amount of time. But, we do really need to get the process moving. We have dug ourselves a colossal hole, so it is going to be tough to crawl back out of this plastic crisis.

Bailey

9/23/2018 09:09:49 pm

I think that the ban, while useful in some ways, isn't entirely reasonable in others. There are several name brand cups, like Yeti and Arctic, that make cups with lids that are straw compatible. There are people like my mom who hate drinking anything without a straw. People don't want to spend the money on the metal straws, so they buy the plastic straws because they're affordable and can be used with everything. I think a better step in the right direction would have been to make a special recycling facility for plastic straws. This is a safe alternative, and the facility can make the straws into some other usable material, thereby killing two birds with one stone.

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