Plastic straws have become an emblem of our throwaway culture, contributing to the staggering amount of plastic waste that pollutes our planet. These simple utensils do not biodegrade and accumulate in landfills and the oceans. It is estimated that the US uses 500 million straws per day and while that number has not been verified, the bottom line is that we use a lot of plastic straws.
Since 2019, CA law states that full-service restaurants are not allowed to give single-use plastic straws to customers unless they request one. There are many campaigns to ditch plastic straws and there has been a huge uptick in plastic straw alternatives, ranging from glass to metal to silicone and paper.
Here are the facts:
- Plastic straws are difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills or oceans.
- Like all plastics, they do not biodegrade and with time leach microplastics into the environment esp water
- Plastic straws are a significant contributor to ocean pollution and are often ingested by marine life, causing harm and death.
- Plastic straws are a danger to marine wildlife as they are easily ingested and can cause starvation or entanglement.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, around 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean… that’s the equivalent of 1 garbage truck per minute dumping plastic into the ocean. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. This is terrifying!
You may be thinking you should replace them with metal, paper, or glass straws right? Not so fast! Let’s dig a layer deeper and look at the total picture of straws and the environment.
The ColyPoly HSU straw analysis sheds light on the complex issue of straw sustainability and challenges our assumptions about what is truly the most environmentally friendly option.
The compelling analysis of the materials used, transport of, and disposal of various kinds of straws including single plastic straws. glass, plastic, and bamboo straws. The researchers then compared the use of each of these against plastic straws to determine how many uses it would take to even out.
Let’s delve into the data…
A disposable plastic straw has 27.18 Kj of Embedded Energy — this is the energy needed to manufacture, transport, and dispose of a single plastic straw. It also results in 1.45g of Carbon Dioxide Emissions emitted during the manufacturing, transport, and disposal of a single plastic straw.
How does this compare to other straws?
What jumps out here?
All of these reusable straws are much more energy intensive than the disposable plastic straw.
So how many times do you need to use each of these reusable straws in order to offset the additional embedded energy and carbon dioxide emissions?
Stainless Steel straw — approx, 125 times
- If you used it once every day, it would take you 4.5 months
- If you used it three times a week, 41.5 weeks, or almost 10.5 months
- If you used it once a week, for 125 weeks or 2.5 years
Glass — approx. 45 times
- If you used it once every day, it would take you 1.5 months
- If you used it three times a week, 15 weeks, or almost 4 months
- If you used it once a week, for 45 weeks or a little over 11 months
Bamboo straw — approx. 30 times
- If you used it once every day, it would take you 1 month
- If you used it three times a week, 10 weeks, or 2.5 months
- If you used it once a week, 30 weeks or 7.5
Now think back to the straws in your house…
- How many do you have?
- What material are they made of? How much do you use them?
- Do you always remember to use them instead of plastic straws?
How do we apply this information?
The ideal solution that reflects kindness to self, others, and the environment:
Skipping the straw altogether may seem like a small change, but it can have a significant impact on the environment. It’s tempting to buy a pack of trendy glass straws, but hyper-consumerism defeats the purpose of reducing waste. Instead, consider your actual need for straws and make a conscious decision to only purchase what you need. By doing so, you’ll be making a meaningful contribution toward reducing plastic pollution and minimizing waste. And while you’re at it, why not take a closer look at your beverage choices? Making healthier choices can not only benefit you but also the planet.
If being kind to self and the environment are your primary values:
If you need to use a straw, opting for compostable straws can help to minimize the impact on the environment. For example, reusable bamboo straws are an excellent choice for reducing waste and minimizing your environmental footprint due to their short lifespan once disposed of. Again, while metal and glass straws may seem like appealing options, they often require significant resources to produce and transport, which can outweigh their sustainability benefits. But it’s not just about the straw — we also need to consider the container. It’s tempting to buy drinks in trendy colored glass bottles, but these can be notoriously difficult to recycle. Ask yourself: Are you responsibly disposing of your plastic and glass bottles?
If being kind to others is your primary concern:
Seafood is a beloved cuisine for many, but it’s important to acknowledge the impact that overfishing and seafood consumption can have on marine ecosystems. By reducing or avoiding seafood, we can help to preserve our ocean’s delicate balance and ensure that future generations can enjoy the bounty of the sea. Take a step back and think about the impact that our choices have on the environment and on the creatures that call our oceans home.
Plastic straws contribute to 0.025% of all plastic in the ocean and overall less than <1% of the entire plastic problem. While reusable straws may be more ocean-friendly, they are still not environmentally friendly. Do not be lulled into a false sense of comfort because you are ditching plastic straws… There’s more to the story!
Time to Take Action
Plastic straw pollution may seem like a small issue, but its impact on our environment is huge. While it may be tempting to simply replace plastic straws with alternatives, this is not always the best solution. However, there are still things we can do to minimize the damage caused by plastic straw pollution. Skipping the straw altogether is a great option, as is making healthier beverage choices. But for those who still prefer to use a straw, compostable options such as bamboo can be a great alternative.
It’s important to remember that every decision we make has an impact, and it’s up to us to make conscious choices that reflect kindness to ourselves, others, and the environment. So let’s all take a stand against plastic straw pollution and start making a difference today!
Thoughts or questions? We would love to connect! Get in touch here.
With Kindness,
MDP
