Self Improvement Articles

Why Plastic Straws Are a Problem

Many people take plastic straws for granted as a part of daily life if they are having a soda, smoothie, or other chilled beverage. But as more and more people are starting to look at the dangers of plastic pollution, straws are coming under their scrutiny as being harmful to the environment.

Recent moves by certain fast food restaurants and other eateries to ban plastic straws has been met with approval by those who want to cut back on plastic waste as quickly as possible.

The Problem with Plastic Straws

Plastic straws are not recycled. Estimates show that Americans throw away half a billion every single day, including drinking straws, plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail straws, and so on. That is enough to circle the Earth twice, or fill 125 school buses. Just think how many straws that is in one year. They may be small, but they are part of the eight million tons of plastic dumped into the oceans every year.

While it is true that a small number of people need to drink with a straw for medical reasons such as having trouble chewing and swallowing, it is also true there are alternatives to plastic. Paper straws are the most obvious example. But now there are also glass, stainless steel and bamboo reusable straws. The only downside is remembering to take your straw with you everywhere when you dine out, and to not leave it behind at the end of your meal.

The Effect of Plastic on the Environment

Plastics can sit in landfills for more than 70 years. In the ocean, they have become a floating obstacle course that kills millions of marine animals every year. The plastic debris also washes up on the beaches, leading to unsanitary conditions and an unsuitable environment for marine life who nest, live or find food on the beach.

Plastic increases the temperature of the water and makes it more acidic, therefore killing off many sensitive microorganisms upon which the balance of ocean life depends. Marine animals can get entangled in plastic and drown, or eat it and die of poisoning.

What You Can Do to Save the Planet

There are a number of things you can do to save the planet. The first is to say no to straws. The second is to start educating others about the pollutions straws cause, and the harm they do. There are a number of groups that focus on spreading the word, including:

http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/no-straw-please/

In addition to taking your own personal pledge to go straw-free, and encouraging friends and family to do so as well, there are a number of awareness-raising activities that can help. Discuss the issue in the local eateries you attend. Give copies of this printout, or leave it when you pay your check:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55b29de4e4b088f33db802c6/t/58c8172dbf629ac501c67309/1489508151451/2017StrawsUponRequestCard.pdf

An obvious benefit to most businesses is the amount of money saved by not buying plastic straws. Paper ones can be given on demand if requested, and will be much cheaper.

You might even be able to get local businesses to sign a pledge and show that they are committed to greening their businesses:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55b29de4e4b088f33db802c6/t/5ae341296d2a738cae5b5540/1524842794283/Pledge+Straws+Business.pdf

Plastic straws may seem like a small thing to cut down on, but it can have a huge beneficial impact on the environment.

Which Plastics Can Be Recycled?

When it comes to recycling plastic, it can be very confusing because there are so many different types of plastic. And in some cases, recycling programs will take only certain plastics but not others.

This can be a bit frustrating when you are trying to do your part for the environment. Fortunately, there are some general guidelines you can follow to make sure your plastic waste does not end up in a landfill, but instead heads off to the recycling plant to be transformed and reused once more.

Here are some of the essentials you need to know about recycling plastic.

Beware of Plastic Shopping Bags

These are by far the most common and can be the most dangerous of all plastics. Invest in reusable shopping bags. If you do have to take some, use the return program at the store, or make sure you reuse them as needed.

Plastic Trash Bags

If you are going to use plastic trash bags, choose ones that are biodegradable and photodegradable. Recycle as much of your trash as you can and compost as much of your organic matter as you can. Place the rest in an eco-friendly trash bag. Fill the bag as much as possible to make the most of it.

Plastics 1 to 7

If you look carefully at a piece of plastic and it is recyclable, you should see the recycle symbol and a number inside of it. The number refers to the type of plastic the items is made from.
https://www-tc.pbs.org/strangedays/pdf/StrangeDaysSmartPlasticsGuide.pdf

Some local collection services accept all type of plastics. Others are confined to only certain numbers on the list. It is important to know which are accepted so things don’t end up in landfill for no reason.

If any items are not accepted, you could keep them and reuse them yourself, or find a collection point that recycles those numbered items. Note that the guidelines change from time to time, so check any flyers you are sent in the mail from your local sanitation services.

You can also try to find your local services online and see if they have printable guidelines you can post in your kitchen to remind you what to do, such as:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/downloads/pdf/promotional-materials/recycling-checklist-english-chinese-06359-f.pdf

Make sure the items have been washed before you recycle them. Avoid heating food in plastic trays too, because it might break down that type of plastic and the plastic can leach into your food.

Office Equipment

One final group of items that is heavy on plastics and should be recycled as conscientiously as possible is office equipment such as desktop and laptop computers, phones, printers and so on.

In large cities, you should be able to find businesses that repurpose the computers and either sell them to the public, or give them to schools that need computers. In terms of urban recycling programs, also look out for special days to recycle these items. You will usually have to bring them to a particular location.

In both cases, ask for a receipt for the item so you can deduct it from your taxes.

Note that in the case of desktop monitors and TVs, some recycling places and those that offer these services like Best Buy will charge a $25 fee.