Do Straws Really Matter?

What do you do to limit your plastic usage? Do you opt for no straw, bring a reusable cup or bag, or find other alternatives? As of March 1st, New York banned single-use plastic bags. Seven other states have joined that movement since then. Regardless of that, the first thing that comes to mind in ending the plastic movement is straws. So, if we’re focusing more on plastic bag bans, do straws really matter?

One note to pay attention to is that it is extremely difficult to recycle straws. They are too lightweight to be able to go through the recycling sorters, which is what is leading them to end up in our ocean.

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If you take a look at straws versus cups, bags, and other plastic items, they are significantly smaller. However, their breakdown process is the same as larger plastic items because straws are not biodegradable, and with so many straws being used per day, they take up a lot of space. According to Trvst, “plastic straws are the 7th most collected waste item from beaches.” Seventh may not be the top of the list, but it definitely is up there.

The reason it is so important to skip the straw is because it is possibly the easiest way to limit our plastic use. It may not seem like it matters, but it truly does. It’s been stated from Ellen Macarthur Foundation that “by 2050 oceans are expected to contain more plastics than fish.” If we can eliminate that possibility, shouldn’t we do everything we can to prevent it? With so many alternative options, you are bound to find a way to drink a beverage with a metal straw or no straw at all. 

So, what can you do to change? If you go to Starbucks, ask for a nitro lid. This lid resembles a sippy cup, and no straw is required. For other places, skip the lid all together and ask for no straw—just drink out of the side. The best option of all would be to bring a reusable cup. Even some coffee shops, such as Starbucks, offer you a small discount for bringing your own.