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]. These costs include the true environmental costs of resource extraction and depletion, the loss of quality of life, economic loss from littering, and wildlife loss. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. India, for example, generates 25,940 tons of plastic waste every day but collects only 60 percent of it. But you should also consider the other perspective what effect single-use bags have had on the local economy and product affordability. Buying a product through my link comes at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend products that I believe in. In fact, the global backlash against plastic straws likely started after researchers off the coast of Costa Rica shared a viral video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck up its nose. 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. Why we shouldn't ban plastic straws Antithesis Journal Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection 2. Theyre in about a quarter of the seafood in our markets, and even in table salt. Here are 3 reasons why plastic straws should not be banned, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand manner: 1. Plastic bags. We will One of the most significant negative effects that plastic bags have on the natural world is that it takes a very long time for them to degrade.In addition, the breakdown of plastic bags in the sun results in the release of hazardous compounds into the surrounding soil, and the combustion of plastic bags results in the release of a poisonous material into the surrounding air, contributing to the problem of ambient air pollution. Already in 2001, researchers found that the mass of microscopic plastic fragments in the North Pacific Central Gyre was 6 times higher than of plankton. Thanks for signing up. About half the cost of making biodegradable polymers is the cost of feedstock. This means that you are not consuming more resources every time you need to carry your groceries home. Due to its chemistry, nothing in nature can make plastic biodegrade. Each day, the United States of America uses 500 million drinking straws. Ask if they have nonplastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags. China 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned Manufacturers, Supply 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned with High Quality, Wholesale 10 Reasons Why Plastic Straws Should Be Banned with Low Price, High Quality. 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. Plastic straws shouldn't be banned - The Rubicon In effect, nature has designed this plastic for disassembly. (Source: Water in the West), Analysis reveals how restoring relatively narrow forest buffers could substantially improve regional water quality and carbon storage in Costa Rica and elsewhere. To make matters worse, if plastic straws get into the ocean, they can be mistaken for food by marine animals. So, retailers incorporate this cost hiddenly into prices of other items sold at stores. Criddle and Leape are also senior fellows at theStanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Divers, for example, descend 130 feet under the water, seek unique-looking creatures, and observe the marine world in all its glory. Alarmingly, scientists estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050. Animals living in the ocean might frequently confuse the plastic for food. 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 . When animals ingest plastic, it clogs up their digestive systems, which can easily choke or kill animals like birds or sea turtles. Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site may be referral or affiliate links. The majority of this pollutiondominated by single-use plastic wastecomes from countries lacking infrastructure to properly manage waste, particularly in Asia. However, as an environmental enthusiast, heres what I think about this ban. 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. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. We are working hard to improve our content. Rating: 5 (913 reviews) Highest rating: 5. that do collect plastic bags and other plastic films and send them for proper recycling. How Plastic Bottles Become Death Traps for Hermit Crabs. Plastic is not the largest contributor of pollution and the . However, I do believe that we should limit our use of plastic straws by asking businesses to only give out straws on request. Some microplastics are even small by design, like the microbeads used in facial scrubs or the microfibers in polyester clothing. State Disclosures. If you are constantly feeling gassy, then you should definitely consider drinking beverages the old fashioned way. Communities and consumers can play vital roles in sparking action. But only a few of us realize that each time we accept those disposable plastic grocery bags at store checkout, we actively participate in wasting energy and depleting non-renewable resources. Do you wonder why? Plastic waste that clogs water drainage channels and river tributaries of many Asian cities increases exposure of residents to water-borne diseases, as it creates a toxic soup that remains stranded in one place for prolonged periods of time. It may not seem like much, but when you imagine how many bags they have to provide throughout a year, you will quickly realize that plastic bags are costly. About; Disability Vote Blog; Organizer's Forum; Issues; News; NDLA Webinars As a result, the ban will reduce the number of plastic straws polluting the ocean. That is why the United Nations Environmental Programme Secretariat has recommended a ban on all plastic bags globally. 10 reasons why plastic straws should be banned The crucial challenge is to ensure that these bans are just a first step, offering a natural place to start with low-hanging fruit so long as its part of a much more fundamental shift away from single-use plastics across the value chains of these companies and our economy. Manufacturers began replacing traditionally paper or glass staples with lighter or more durable and affordable plastic alternatives; plastic jugs replaced milk jars, for instance. Tangled in trees and fences along roads, floating in water, lying on the ground in parks and forests, surrounding garbage bins, washed off on beaches. For most, straws are not a necessity, but a convenience. A plastic straw ban would serve to reduce the number of plastic straws entering the ocean. These pieces can be so small that they are invisible to our eye. Buy a metal or bamboo reusable straw. Some experts estimate that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. Prior the ban, 70 percent of livestock losses were attributed to plastic bag ingestion. Large producers of single-use plastics can make a big environmental impact. 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. Yeah I end up going through like 5 paper straws because they keep disintegrating and I can't drink my drink anymore. 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. 2. 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. Made from fossil fuels 3. There are many uses for plastic that are not only reasonable but important, such as surgical gloves, or straws for people with disabilities. Fortunately, microorganisms can also use cheap, renewable substrates, such as food wastes, biogas methane, carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen. One recent survey found plastics in 94 percent of tap water samples in the U.S. and in nearly every brand of bottled water. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option. Gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort. Paper straws cannot be recycled in any way. Start from yourself and slowly expand to your family and friends. 1. It has been projected that, if current trends continue, by 2050 the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish. We all are just trying to do our job well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. FNB News - Choose the right straw | FNB News Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. Additionally, a plastic straw ban could also act as a gateway into other single-use plastic bans for items like plastic bottles and plastic bags, which are worse for the environment than plastic straws. China doesnt want our plastic waste anymore. What can I do for you? Participate in beach or river cleanups. Let us know if you liked this article. You as an individual have the power to make a gradual change in your community. edinburgh airport address. On average, taxpayers end up paying about $88 per year just on plastic bag waste [15]. Why is plastic bad for the environment? Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. It is good for our environment, health and global climate. Companies are trying to sell communities on a toxic solution to the plastic pollution crisis. You could either discuss with a store manager a possibility of bringing your own containers for these products. While we may not pay for plastic bags directly when we go shopping, they are anything but free.. 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. Juan Cristobal Cobo/Bloomberg via Getty Images. If you are a kid reading this, and you want to get green and help the Earth, you are at the right place. Plastic straws, being so lightweight and non-biodegradable, are readily carried into the water, where they eventually break down into smaller and smaller pieces of microplastic. Ultimately, we can further decrease costs and achieve economies of scale through decentralized production systems and perhaps also at large biorefineries. Communities with good awareness about negative impacts of plastic bags have been more successful at enforcing the ban [20]. 23 Reasons Why we should ban Plastic Bags | Environment Buddy Plastic straws only account for roughly one percent of the total amount of waste plastic found in the ocean. Straws made of paper are neither recyclable nor capable of decomposition. 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]. Single-Use Plastics 101 | NRDC Companies are forced to innovate, rethinking their designs and sourcing sustainable materials. By being aware about these issues, you will be ready to present some strong arguments why plastic bags should be banned in your area and answer questions of people who will become your ally if you will persuade them about your good intentions. 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. Beached whales have been found with stomachs full of plastic trash. 2. Arguments Why Plastic Should Be Banned - Green Matters And cracker plantswhich break, or crack, ethane molecules, a component of natural gas, into the chemical building blocks of plastic productsare energy intensive and highly polluting. 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. | | How can you help to ban plastic bags in your area? Plastic bags being the major component of the trash thrown away, most of it ends up on the streets. The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. 82 percent of the responding food service establishments were aware of the prohibition, and 69 percent of those establishments viewed the ban favorably. Plastic bag litter has even caused great problems in some areas. On other issues, from overfishing to deforestation, we have seen that consumer-facing companies like McDonalds, Unilever and Walmart can be exquisitely sensitive to the concerns of their customers. A calf had to be put down because of indigestion caused by 8 plastic bags in its stomach. Busca trabajos relacionados con Reasons why smoking should be banned articles o contrata en el mercado de freelancing ms grande del mundo con ms de 22m de trabajos. Tushy Ace Review (After 3 Months): Is this Luxury Bidet Worth it? LEAPE:Plastic straws are only a tiny fraction of the problem less than 1 percent. They're bad for the environment, kill marine life and damage human health. Why Plastic Bags And Straws Should Not Be Banned Instead of investing in quality goods that will last, we often prioritize convenience over durability and consideration of long-term impacts. Getting rid of a single plastic straw may not have a very large effect on the environment. Her Stand-Up Paddleboard Is a Platform for Campaigning Against Plastic Pollution, A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields. Considering what important source of food plankton is for many other species, it is clear that plastic gets distributed across the marine ecosystem. Well, a possible alternative solution could be to encourage businesses to only give out plastic straws on request. According to a study that was published by Bloomberg News, it is predicted that the percentage of contaminated ocean water that is caused by plastic straws and stirrers is a shockingly modest 0.03 percent. The first answer to this question that comes to everyones mind is to stop using plastic bags, right? 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. 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? Exposure to microplastics, as well as the chemicals that are added to plastics during processing, harm our health. In Taiwan, which was once overflowing with so much trash that it spurred public protest and the nickname Garbage Island, companies now either manage their own waste or subsidize government-run infrastructure. 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. 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. Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment. 15. But should plastic straws really be banned? In my opinion, plastic straws should not be banned outright, because many disabled people require plastic straws to drink. Our waterway plastic pollution is particularly concentrated: Just ten rivers carry 93 percent of the worlds total amount of plastic that enters the oceans via rivers each year. And they help shift consumer mind-sets, as people begin to recognize that exorbitant and avoidable waste is not sustainable. In fact, plastic bags are considered by many recycling facilities the number one contaminant and their removal from the recycling stream costs municipalities close to $1 million a year [18]. (Everything You Need To Know). The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. 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