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Environmental Groups Move to Ban Plastic Straws
- 1. s Environmental Groups Move to Ban Plastic Straws Enviro Care Inc. 505 N Main Street, North Salt Lake, Utah 84054 (801) 299-1900
- 2. Americans use an average of 500 million plastic straws a day. In fact, plastic straws are one of the top five waste items found along beaches. With the severity of plastic pollution in the United States, scientists predict that by 2050, there will be more pieces of plastic than fishes in the sea. Thus, environmental groups have decided to start moving for plastic-free alternatives, starting with plastic straws. Straw-Free Lifestyles In 2015, a video of marine biologists extracting a straw from a sea turtle’s nose went viral online. This is what drove Diana Lofflin to establish StrawFree, an environmental group moving to ban plastic straws. She believes that while straws are only small pieces of plastic, they are an unnecessary item that starts people’s dependence on one-use plastics. And despite its size, the straw remains one of the most frequent forms of pollution. Americans use an average of 500 million plastic straws a day. In fact, plastic straws are Some US cities such as Seattle, Miami, and Malibu have already moved to ban straws. Since then, many have reported seeing fewer plastic straws and more biodegradable alternatives along the beach. While businesses in those areas have begun to feel the financial effects of finding replacements, they support the movement as a way to preserve their area’s natural beauty. In fact, this support for the movement may prove to be beneficial for them. Businesses who go beyond the legal compliance can receive positive publicity and public relations, according to Enviro Care Inc., which can then lead to profitable results.
- 3. Limitations However, not everyone is onboard with the idea. While the plastic industry acknowledges there is a problem with pollution, they point out the problem is not the amount of plastic, but proper disposal and recycling, which should be the solution instead of banning plastic products. In an email, Ashley Stoney, the director of communications for the Plastics Industry Association, says people should have the option to choose which products they want to use but must dispose of these products properly. Following their sentiments, McDonald’s shareholders voted against a proposal to phase out plastic straws despite environmentalists’ sentiments. The board called the phase-out “unnecessary” and “redundant to our current practices and initiatives” that incur costs at no benefit to anyone. With the increasing amount of plastic, more people are becoming aware of the way plastic affects the environment. While some businesses and the plastic industry remain steadfast that plastic production is not the problem, many other companies recognize that environmental issues are a huge concern and, for sustainability, address this in their business models.