Paper straws cannot be recycled in any way. Well, lets have a look at the most important reasons why single-use plastic bags should be banned right now. 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. 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. Refineries where crude oil is turned into plastic make up one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector. Only then would a plastic straw ban be able to actually help preserve the environment. 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. 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. However, I do believe that we should limit our use of plastic straws by asking businesses to only give out straws on request. 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. Scientists have recorded some species of zooplankton eating tiny plastic particles. In 2008, a crocodile in Australia died because of 25 plastic bags filling its stomach [11]. Plastic straws are everywhere we look. Have some dirty clothes that you just wore today? Thanks for signing up. Lizzie Carr is shining a light on what is floating through the worlds waterways, and breaking athletic records along the way. But beyond these impacts, the bans have cultural effects. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. According to market research firms, Americans use about 350 million plastic straws every single day. We will 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. Theyve even made their way up to the secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. 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. Most of it is either dumped in landfills or ends up in the ocean. By 2030, CEO James Quincey has pledged to use 50 percent recycled material in its bottles and cans and recycle one bottle or can. 1. This blog covers a variety of topics including plastic pollution, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and much more. It has been projected that, if current trends continue, by 2050 the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish. This leaves few other alternatives other than plastic straws. 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. Overall, the main reason for a plastic straw ban is to help the environment by preventing plastic straws pollution. As plastic bags are not disposed properly . Killing wildlife 5. This is due to the fact that the plastic tubes are far too lightweight to be recycled in an efficient manner. Thats a promising start. (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. update email soon. Hi, Im Hugh, and my mission with Get Green Now is to raise awareness of environmental issues and teach people how to live sustainably. Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. In New York, 23 billion plastic bags are used by residents each year. Another indirect danger of plastic bags has breeding ground in the pollution they create. InCalifornia, a bill to ban straws unless requested at dine-in restaurants is awaiting a signature from the governor. Many of the chemicals in plastics are known endocrine disruptors,and research has suggested that human exposure could cause health impacts including hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems like infertility, and even cancer. Help us break the cycle of causing unnecessary harm and damage in the name of "convenience". While these countries and municipalities have been making strides in their part of reducing circulation of plastic bags, in total there are 195 countries in the world [19] and the issue of plastic pollution is still getting out of our hands. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? 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. There is a lot of research now underway on the health effects of ocean plastics, but we already know that some plastics, and the chemicals that attach themselves to plastics in the water, can cause cancer, genetic disruptions and other ill effects. The risk is that banning straws may confer moral license allowing companies and their customers to feel they have done their part. 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. 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. Its because Asian and US coastlines release large amounts of plastic waste in the ocean [7]. 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. Single use plastics wreak havoc on wildlife and the earth. 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. All Rights Reserved. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. Not only does banning single-use plastic reduce pollution, but it also reduces demand for plastic production thats contributing to global climate change. 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. Once a person gets into the habit of bringing reusable bags when shopping, it is not much of an inconvenience at all. There were numerous cases of birds caught in plastic bags, unable to fly and feed, eventually strangling themselves to death. In many instances, it may seem too awkward for you to refuse the bag, so you accept it this one time, but you should know that it is fine to say no politely even at this stage if you dont want that bag. 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 The problem with plastic straws is that they are one of the biggest causes of unnecessary plastic pollution. For example, a reusable jute bag should last at least 4 years, during which it can prevent the use of 600 single-use plastic bags. However, we are all too familiar with situations when a cashier automatically puts your items in a plastic bag before you can oppose it. Banning plastic straws is also increasingly popular. For most, straws are not a necessity, but a convenience. Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of pollution found on beaches and in oceans all over the world. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. According to the researchers, the turtle likely mistook the straw for food and swallowed 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. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. Better alternatives are available 10. The resulting number is staggering. Plastic bags. Leape has long been a leader in ocean conservation efforts. Other country that has decided to enforce the country-wide plastic bag ban after suffering of negative consequences was Mauritania. Our plastic addiction is having a devastating impact on our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. But single-use plastics come with a steep environmental priceone that well be paying off for millennia. Nearly 20 years ago, a dead pelican was found with its stomach filled with 17 plastic bags [10]. 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. A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in the mid-19th century, it wasnt until the 1970s that its popularity skyrocketed. Dont re-wash something if you can wear it again. 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. 1. plastic straws litter our environment Every day, about 3-6 billion plastic straws are produced. Or you may need to accept that plastic bag this time and then start campaigning for a plastic bag ban in your area . Logically, the key to starting a change in your community is education. But this comes along with many unanswered questions. These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. 1. The trend has already started. 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. An outright ban on plastic straws would create an accessibility problem for disabled people while dining in public. In Ireland, where this fee was instituted in 2002, plastic bag usage decreased by about 90 percent. 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. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and About; Disability Vote Blog; Organizer's Forum; Issues; News; NDLA Webinars In countries with a lack of awareness about negative impacts of plastic bags, a polite refusal might not be met with much understanding. Individual choicesand the collective shifts they bring aboutadd up quickly. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Juan Cristobal Cobo/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Plastic bags and plastic products overall contain substances that are harmful to our health. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. The first is to invest in better waste collection in the handful of countries that account for most of the plastic flowing into the ocean. But the sheer amount of plastic waste inundates communities until they are drowning under thousands of tons of plastic trash. Plastic use costs approximately $75 billion a year [16]. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. Ill also go over whether or not plastic straw bans will actually help the environment, and explain everything else youll need to know. Additionally, awareness raising campaigns create a social pressure that should inspire local government and institutions to help in making changes at a bigger scale, like a regional ban or levy. Single-use plastics are a glaring example of the problems with throwaway culture. Divers, for example, descend 130 feet under the water, seek unique-looking creatures, and observe the marine world in all its glory. Harmful to human health 6. Plastic is putting a strain on waste management systems, our oceans, and vulnerable communities the world over. A straw with our iced coffee, a plastic bag to carry our takeout, a wrapper on a candy bar: taken individually, each seems harmless. So, for example, companies need to not only make products that are recyclable, but actually make them out of recycled or truly biodegradable material. Have you ever seen endangered sea turtles hatch? It is good for our environment, health and global climate. Heres everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1. 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. 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-. They end up in the water, eaten by wildlife, and inside our bodies. Do you wonder why? 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. For many of us it is hard to imagine that something as small as a plastic bag can actually cause flooding, but residents of some cities in Bangladesh have been struggling with this problem every monsoon season for the past two decades [3]. As it turns out, many microorganisms make moldable bioplastic polymers that are fully degradable. Thats nearly equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. Not only is plastic estimated to kill millions of marine animals and seabirds each year, but its also contaminating seafood that humans have relied on for millennia, particularly with microplastics in animals guts. Because they are so lightweight, plastic bags get easily picked up by wind and travel long distances by wind and water to pollute the nature. These pieces can be so small that they are invisible to our eye. 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. Your email address will not be published. Recycling more plastic, more frequently, reduces its footprint. Have a look yourself to imagine the suffering of these animals. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Ms. LISA PAI . According to a study carried out in 2013, up to 35 percent of turtle deaths were caused by plastic ingestion and the probability that sea turtles will consume even more plastic increases every year [9]. As part of the Break Free From Plastic movement, Greenpeace volunteers conducted an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines, sifting through tens of thousands of individual pieces across 42 countries to identify the pollutions sources. Some Disabled People Require Plastic Straws to Drink For some people with disabilities, straws are the only way they. 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. Instead of investing in quality goods that will last, we often prioritize convenience over durability and consideration of long-term impacts. According to some estimates, the cost of plastic bag cleanup is about 17 cents per bag [14] and the cost is paid by us once again. Such changes could have outsized benefits for vulnerable populations that rely on rivers for their water supply. What about you? The ban also kept them from littering neighborhoods and the environment. Pack it alongside reusable cutlery (like wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks) for sustainable eating on the go. Greenwashing Alert: Chemical Recycling Isnt Actually Recycling. 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. We dont know how it will in the long term affect plankton-feeding species and their predators. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. All you need to do is paste your ZIP code and then see the list of stores with bag drop-off in your nearest location. The Pasig River in the Philippines is another scary example of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment. Large producers of single-use plastics can make a big environmental impact. The cashier usually understands, only had to do what instructed and what most customers expect (unfortunately) from him or her. Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. There is only one requirement these plastic bags need to be dry and clean, otherwise they contaminate the entire batch and your effort will do more harm than good. Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection A wave of single-use plastic bans is sweeping the country and the globemost often on plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and takeout clamshells. They are a part of our modern lives, and we dont tend to think much about them. 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. Communities and consumers can play vital roles in sparking action. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. Which brings us to the second part. How? However, as an environmental enthusiast, heres what I think about this ban. 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. . Straws are said to be one of the top 10 objects recovered during beach clean-ups by the Ocean Conservancy. CRIDDLE:We need to think about what incentives will promote a culture of recycling and innovation with respect to waste streams. When the monsoon rains start, streets get waterlogged just after the first few minutes because the water cannot pass through clogged sewerage pipes. They are also not biodegradable and cannot be broken down naturally by bacteria and other decomposers into non-toxic materials. They contribute to the contamination of our landfills and seas when they are discarded after use. According to estimates made by scientists, there are 7.5 million polluting straws around the shores of the United States, and anywhere from 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws throughout the coastlines of the rest of the globe. These tiny plastic particles have been found in our oceans, soil, and even in the air. When you sip beverages through a straw you end up inhaling more air into your belly than you would otherwise. All rights reserved. Her Stand-Up Paddleboard Is a Platform for Campaigning Against Plastic Pollution, A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields. Most plastic straws are made from harsh chemicals making them impossible to reuse or recycle. 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. 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. The crisis is so serious that many people are saying that plastic straws should be outlawed. Increased awareness about the negative effects of single-use plastics would help the environment a lot more than just a simple plastic straw ban. But these cases make up a small fraction of single-use plastic. Ban of Plastic Can be Problematic. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. 2. Growing public concern has inspired movements to ban single-use plastics, most notably 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. Although single-use plastic pollution accumulates most visibly on our streets, in fact our water suffers even more. In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. The inaccuracy of this number calls into doubt the veracity of the overall case against using plastic straws as a drinking implement. Rating: 5 (913 reviews) Highest rating: 5. 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]. Shuddering and unable to breathe, he vomited up five plastic bags. If you are constantly feeling gassy, then you should definitely consider drinking beverages the old fashioned way. Plastic pollutionwhether in our oceans, piling up on our coastlines, or contributing to our climate crisisimpacts vulnerable communities first. We should do likewise. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. Items made of plastic that come into contact with food can be recycled, whereas products made of paper that absorb both food and garbage cannot. You can be sure of one thing, though. The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step. 300 to 700 plastic bags pass through the hands of an average American in just one year [8] and a survey of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs concluded that the average household in the United Kingdom stores around 40 plastic shopping bags at home [2]. 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].
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