Sounds silly, doesn’t it? However, take the combined effect of a poorly researched, 9-year-old’s science fair project. Add in a timely photo of a turtle with a straw in its nostril has led to a worldwide movement to ban the evil plastic drinking straws. And anyone who gets in the way will get steamrolled.
The problem is that the data involved suggested as much as 2% of the pollution in the ocean was from plastic drinking straws when the reality is that it is closer to 0.03%. In fact, the highest plastic content in the ocean is not from consumers’ goods at all. It is, in fact, plastic fishing nets that make up a significant portion of the waste plastic found in the seas.
We Need To Stop And Think Before We Jump
The problem is that I love the idea of working towards creating a cleaner environment and reducing plastics as much as feasible. However, blanket moves in one direction or another should be delayed until the various stakeholders sit down together. There is a need to look closely at just what the best move is and make sure that we do not create a situation where we are seriously damaging people by not planning ahead.
In this particular case, those who are disabled are the ones who are taking this newest fad on the chin. While several chains have made relatively blanket statements indicating they would be moving to ban the product within their chains, a few have acknowledged (after the initial ban once it was brought to their attention) that this would damage the ability of those who have disabilities and made moves to modify their original plans to attempt to create a solution. In some cases, the solution is troubling. One example is having to ask the staff for a straw. Therefore giving the staff member the responsibility to decide if they have a disability or not. This puts the disabled in a position of having to defend their disability, something that should never happen.
Current Reusable Straws Are Falling Short Of The Mark
Others suggest the use of recyclable options however they come with their own hazards. Some were not good for hot drinks (glass and metal straws). Others are too rigid for those who require a bendable straw. Paper straws will break down and flake if left in the drink for too long. This can cause significant issues for someone with restricted breathing. Bamboo and other products can change the taste of the drink or absorb the taste of the drink. The best option of all would be silicon. However, even those are not a great option for those whose disability includes biting or chewing (such as autism or those with muscle control issues). In addition, all of these products need to be cleaned which can cause significant problems for those with mobility or dexterity issues.
I have even heard of a group of 60 festivals in the UK that have signed a mutual agreement to ban all straws. They also plan to work to ban all disposable cups within a couple of years. However, from all I have looked at, I have seen no discussions surrounding them creating an exemption for the disabled.
Much Of The Push Back From The Environmentalist Has Been Ablist At Best, And Often Almost Anti Disability
Environmentalists get quickly offended when it is pointed out that this ban is very much anti-disabled. I have seen some point out that an inconvenience to the disabled is surely nothing compared to the great benefit it will have on the environment. However, they are wrong on two counts. One, it is not an inconvenience, it is a violation of their basic human rights to be reasonably accommodated. Two, it is not a great benefit to the environment. It is a minuscule move in the right direction but it is no more than surface fluff. There are far bigger and better projects that would have a significantly higher return. Like banning plastic bags and forcing fishing vessels (and all other ships) to return all garbage and broken equipment to the dock. Another great move toward reducing plastic would be the banning of plastic pop and water bottles.
Those who point to current reusable options routinely ignore the problems associated with them. They seem to be hoping that if they yell loud enough and point long enough, the disabled who are doing no more than fighting for their rights will shut up and go away.
This Type Of Environmentalist Fad Is Not The First
It has been pointed out that this current fad is not much different than the huge uproar in the 80s over the plastic rings around six-packs of pop and beer. Now while I do not know the situation with beer, I do know that they eventually fixed the issue with the plastic rings for the pop. This was done by making them so that they had an easy tear line. This made not only removing the bottles easier but removed the problem so that it did not pose the same threat to the fish.
Don’t get me wrong, the issue of plastic and garbage in the ocean is a serious problem and growing larger. There are many things associated with this and we do need to take action. One of the first steps needs to be making sure that fishermen have to account for all their nets. A mandatory trackable GPS on all nets is actually one way. This would allow them to find nets lost due to storms or other damage. Requiring all damaged nets to be returned to the dock is another major one, especially if fines were imposed.
Yes, We Can Do Better At Reducing Plastics And Recycling As Well.
Doing a proper job of recycling all existing plastics. There needs to be a way to recycle all plastics that we use on a day-to-day basis. Currently, too much of this stuff ends up in the landfill unnecessarily. Actual real movement on banning single-use plastic bags in grocery stores. Part of this means making reusable grocery bags easily available and strong enough to be used for years.
Far Better Than A Ban On Drinking Straws.
Significant fines for those who dispose of their plastics or other garbage anywhere but a proper waste receptacle. And actively working with third world and developing countries to create solid recycling and waste removal programs. These are all steps that would be logical moves towards reducing waste. However, the movement to ban plastic bags always seems to fizzle out without any real results, or at best a pay-per-bag cost while every attempt to ban bottled water is met with the threat of legal action from major conglomerates who sell it. Unfortunately, these are actual steps that make much more sense than the banning of plastic straws.
kathy downey says
Humans are destroying the World,everyone of us.It’s so sad!
Anne Taylor says
My grandson loves his bendy straw! I completely agree with banning them though
Dorothy H says
” This Type Of Environmentalist Fad Is Not The First “
Tammi L. says
I posted a reply to your facebook post regarding this… a bad reply obviously! I posted about taking a cup with you, I was short-sighted and just jumped in there with my 2 cents because it had worked for my client (who has CP, and I, without thinking about the fact that it may not work for everyone. This was very informative and I agree there needs to be a lot more thought put into this!
Gloria says
it’s a good idea but will it work?
jan says
I think the same thing of the single use plastic bag .. I use every single one more than once. If you want to use your reusable bags go ahead. People who don’t require a straw shouldn’t take one and I do love the idea of the reusables that are out there for those that it works for. I believe that there are a lot of our convenience packagings resulting from us getting a little lazy (yogurt tubes, juice boxes and water bottles at home) which is worse,
Jonnie says
I think that most of these trendy environmental movements are being pushed by businesses who are looking to make money, get puclicity or get a tax break from the trend. People will jump on the bandwagon because it doesn’t affect them very much, if at all, and it makes them feel good to be supporting the “cause”. Many say that any step in the right direction is good, but is it really, if it’s distracting us from taking real action?
Janet Meisner says
I agree that we need to stop using all these disposable products. there are alternatives that are safer for the environment.
Linda H says
I think we need to continue to focus our education on reducing and recycling ALL plastics and not just focusing on one particular one ( the plastic straws )
Debbie White-Beattie says
I think most plastics have wreaked havoc on the world and it’s getting worse with plastic water bottles, one use plastic straws and coffee pods to say the least. I’ve cut the plastic down to a minimum in my household and stopping the use of plastic straws was the first to go and now we use glass and silicone straws instead.
Carole says
I think we should avoid straw when possible, we don’t really need straw.
Diane pearce says
Quit using disposable straws unless you require them for a SN..We have reusable straws that work just as well for the NT person that wants one because of sore teeth( that’s me )
Carl Bainbridge says
I don’t overly disagree with the idea of saving them for special needs, however, the current system tends to lean more towards blocking them all together or forcing people to justify their disability (something that is against the law in many places)
Lilac says
I think it’s deplorable that people have such disregard for our beautiful planet. We use glass and stainless steel straws and don’t contribute to the waste.
Darlene Demell says
I agree with banning the straws but there are many other things as well that we could ban to clean up this environment.
Wanda Tracey says
Plastic straws are a complicated problem. I for one did not realize just how complicated it is and in finding a good solution for all. This was a good feature to read. I also agree that plastic is way over used and is a waste hazard for the earth.
Melinda says
I tend to buy reusable straws and clean them well.
Lynda Cook says
Us the people need to smarten up and look after our world, it’s us that is destroying it, with the attitude of I don’t care, I do my part all the time and recycle as much as I can, but it’s also disgusting driving around and seeing all the garbage laying in the ditches and most of it is from fast food places, I can’t see why they can’t wait till they get home and throw it out
Tara Gauthier says
This very discussion was brought up a few times by special needs parenting groups that I am in by parents with the types of needs that you brought up. It’s definitely not just a simple one size fits all solution. I also agree that there are far bigger environmental issues that need addressed besides straws, but it makes companies look good to do things like this!
Soozle says
I never really gave thought to the impact of a straw in years past – but thinking about it, I can totally understand how they add up and are destructive!
Gord says
Plastics have a huge impact on the environment. Even the clothes you wear that are made from recycled plastics.
cgrandy823 says
Protecting our environment is a a very complicated issue; a solution that sounds good now, may have an unforeseen impact. I try to remain open to ideas and research, to make the best choices I can with the current information.
Sarah says
I think there are other more pressing pollution issues at hand than taking away straws, especially those who may need them for whatever reason. Then again I haven’t done much research into these issues, unfortunately.
Krista Miller (@MillerKrazy) says
Straws are just one part of this massive problem. This list of things humans are doing to destroy our planet are endless. We need to be tackling the entire plastic problem, we have become so reliant on plastics. Not sure how much change there will be in my lifetime.