Plastic Straws Causing Incalculable Damage to Global Marine Ecology

Each year, 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the world’s oceans. Millions of plastic straws are used and disposed each day. The straws are usually made from polypropylene and are not truly degradable. Most recycling programs are loath to accept straws because straws are too light and fall off sorters. They are often contaminated. 

As you know, plastics are not biodegradable and even when they degrade the process is not complete. In order to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable plastics produced, we need to bring about behavioral changes that include using recyclable materials and move away from the culture of use and throw, i.e. single use. 

When plastic such as straws degrades, it releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere that enter the food chain. The chemicals are extremely toxic to flora and fauna, and the environment in general. 

Straws, discarded into drains and gutters, eventually find their way to the ocean floor. Around 3 % of the trash recovered from oceans is made up of straws and stirrers. 

Each year more than one million seabirds die from ingesting plastic. Plastic straws are easy to swallow.

We need to understand that single use plastics and plastic straws are not an essential aspect of our lives. There are alternatives that we must gain awareness of. By taking simple steps such as requesting drinks without straws and drinking from glass bottles instead of plastic cups, we can contribute to reducing the amount of plastic that is fast overrunning our planet. Reusable straws made from stainless steel or glass serve as excellent alternatives to single use plastic straws.

 

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