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. Many of you may have heard it already. McDonalds swapped its plastic straws for paper at its United Kingdom and Ireland restaurants. But this comes along with many unanswered questions. Plastic straws are also the 6th most common trash item found during ocean cleanups. It is possible to enhance ones risk of developing cavities by using a straw while consuming liquids that are either sweet or acidic. 12 Compelling Reasons For Banning Plastic Bags [2023 Update] - MindsetEco The second, more fundamental imperative is to get plastics out of our waste stream. Well, before putting it into the laundry basket, take a look at it closely. Her Stand-Up Paddleboard Is a Platform for Campaigning Against Plastic Pollution, A Growing Concern: Microplastic Pollution on Farm Fields. Arguments Why Plastic Should Be Banned - Green Matters (Everything You Need To Know). Greenwashing Alert: Chemical Recycling Isnt Actually Recycling. 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? The most common are inorganic dyes that are added to change the color of plastic bags. Plastic waste, mostly broken down into tiny particles, floats in huge blobs amid ocean current patterns called gyres that together cover as much as 40 percent of Earths ocean surface. Oene Moedt-Foto Natura/Minden via National Geographic Images, Major Corporations and Single-Use Plastics, secluded Pyrenees mountain range and down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and research has suggested that human exposure, 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic, one of the most greenhouse gasintensive industries in the manufacturing sector, could reach 1.34 gigatons per year by 2030, an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines. PDF Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection There were numerous cases of birds caught in plastic bags, unable to fly and feed, eventually strangling themselves to death. In addition, despite the fact that the FDA has deemed this to be safe for consumption, chemicals from the plastic may seep into liquids, releasing substances that have the potential to influence estrogen levels. The following are ten lines on why plastic bags need to be prohibited: 1) The careless disposal of trash in plastic bags leads to an increase in litter.2) The use of plastic bags contributes to the depletion of our natural resources, including water, trees, and agricultural products.3) Because of the danger it causes to marine life, the total The truth is that we do not know yet the full scale of negative impacts plastic waste can have on marine and terrestrial environments because it hasnt been around long enough to allow us to assess possible scenarios of its influence on natural cycles. If youd like to learn more about how plastic straws negatively impact the environment, you can check out this article I wrote about the environmental impact of plastic straws. As a result, the ban will reduce the number of plastic straws polluting the ocean. Plastic bags have become such a nuisance because we as consumers use them excessively even when not needed and authorities havent figured out effective ways of dealing with them as waste. This form of ban could lead to a reduction in landfill across the country, going a long way to protect the nature and serenity of the area. To align with global efforts, India banned single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. Some companies are taking initiative on their own. Carrying reusable bags and bottles is one great way to avoid single-use plastics in our day-to-day lives; more on preventing plastic waste can be found below. Because of this, the plants and wildlife in the area have a potential risk of absorbing the microplastics through their diets and drinking water. Plastic is putting a strain on waste management systems, our oceans, and vulnerable communities the world over. Unfortunately, such a high level of pollution doesnt come without consequences. 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. This means that you are not consuming more resources every time you need to carry your groceries home. 1. Buy in bulk. Activists Say Straws Should Be Banned Because They Are a 'Gateway Plastic' Advocates hope a straw ban will be the first step toward broader plastic prohibitions. Alarmingly, scientists estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight in 2050. And, if you dont like wearing the same shirt or pants, Read More Dont wash it if it doesnt look dirtyContinue, At age 50, Kay is a little over halfway through her life as a driver. As part of the Break Free From Plastic movement, Greenpeace volunteers conducted an audit of plastic pollution along coastlines, sifting through tens of thousands of individual pieces across 42 countries to identify the pollutions sources. This way, disabled people can continue to be served, while also reducing the number of plastic straws that we use. So that free plastic bag isnt so free after all. Heres everything you need to know before plastic carryout bags disappear from the Empire State on March 1. 12 Reasons for Banning Plastic Bags: Plastic Bags Are Made With Non-Renewable Energy Plastic Bags Use Up Lots Of Energy Plastic Bags End Up In The Ocean Beach Plastic Litter Is On The Rise Plastic Bags Kill Millions Of Animals Every Year Plastic Takes A Long Time To Disintegrate Plastic Is Harming The Ocean's Coral Plastic Bags Contain Toxins This is the case particularly in Southeast Asia, which has begun to import much of the plastic that used to go to China for recycling. But the sheer amount of plastic waste inundates communities until they are drowning under thousands of tons of plastic trash. In Germany alone, we use 40 billion plastic straws every year. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and 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. They're not alone. Plastic items are more sanitary than other alternatives. Better alternatives are available 10. The people of Macon, Georgia, saw through it. Nearly 20 years ago, a dead pelican was found with its stomach filled with 17 plastic bags [10]. Among the U.S. cities to outlaw plastic straws are Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach. 15. Cook more often, to reduce your use of plastic-heavy takeout containers. Skip the Straw - Florida Department of Environmental Protection There are many uses for plastic that are not only reasonable but important, such as surgical gloves, or straws for people with disabilities. And recent studies found plastic in the guts of 90 percent of the seabirds tested and 100 percent of the turtles. Killing wildlife 5. The upshot of the Sydney study is that the California bag ban reduced plastic bag consumption by 71.5% - a huge decrease. CRIDDLE:We need to think about what incentives will promote a culture of recycling and innovation with respect to waste streams. Help raise awareness of fellow consumers that means everyone when you think about it (unless they dont shopever). Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. Some experts estimate that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. Without proper education, few people would know the purpose of the ban, and they would continue using other single-use plastics which could be even worse for the environment. 6461 garfield street hollywood, fl. (Some places are going so far as to ban single-use plastics entirely; most notably, India intends to go this route by 2022.) Its also important to look at the bigger picture regarding plastic bans. Sea turtles are not the only species suffering from plastic bag pollution of the environment. In early January 2020, China joined the growing movement of more than 120 countries pledging to ban single-use plastics.The country of 1.4 billion citizens is the No. Not easy to recycle 7. Considering what important source of food plankton is for many other species, it is clear that plastic gets distributed across the marine ecosystem. Driven by public pressure, governments and corporations are considering eliminating or phasing out single-use plastics such as straws. Plastic straws are everywhere we look. For those governments that are opposed to full bans on plastic bags, another option is to institute a plastic bag tax, where consumers or retailers would pay a small fee for each plastic bag. So, plastic waste only speeds up the destruction of these most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. Ask if they have nonplastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags. Once the wheel starts spinning, it leads to even more positive changes. We will Speak out in support of local plastic bans, whether by calling your local government representative, submitting an op-ed to your citys newspaper, or simply starting conversations with neighbors. Why? A Ban Could Harm Local Businesses If What never leaves, Read More Sustainable Diving & Snorkeling: How to Prevent Damage to Marine EcosystemsContinue, Top 3 Ways Kids can Help the Earth! Additionally, someone has to pay the cost of dealing with plastic bags in the waste stream. Most plastic straws are made from harsh chemicals making them impossible to reuse or recycle. At the beginning of July 2018, Seattle became the largest U.S. city to ban plastic straws. According to market research firms, Americans use about 350 million plastic straws every single day. Reduce Aesthetic value of your neighborhood. Each day, the United States of America uses 500 million drinking straws. Ms. LISA PAI . the eight worst source of ocean plastic pollution, Impact of Plastic Bags on the Environment, non-renewable fossil fuel-based resources, Plastic Bag Degradation: What You Should Know, Serious Effects of Plastic Pollution on Human Health. According to the researchers, the turtle likely mistook the straw for food and swallowed it. LEAPE:There are two clear imperatives. TIME for Kids | Should Plastic Straws Be Banned? These modern conveniences are so ubiquitousand so quickly thrown outthat they hardly register in our minds. Left alone, plastics dont really break down; they just break up. For example, some disabled people may not be able to properly hold or pick up a cup, so they need to use straws to drink properly. What Is Plastic Made Of And How Is It Manufactured? Have a look yourself to imagine the suffering of these animals. A wave of single-use plastic bans is sweeping the country and the globemost often on plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and takeout clamshells. How can you help to ban plastic bags in your area? In countries with a lack of awareness about negative impacts of plastic bags, a polite refusal might not be met with much understanding. Buying a product through my link comes at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend products that I believe in. 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. Try reusable and compostable beeswax wrap for an easy and decorative option. Plastic straws are one of the most common forms of pollution found on beaches and in oceans all over the world. Your email address will not be published. Though plastica chain of synthetic polymers, essentiallywas invented in. 5 Metals in your Home that can be Recycled for Cash, How exactly bidets offer a healthier, green option for your bathroom, A Closer Look at General Motors (GM) Sustainability Initiatives. In fact, it is estimated that up to 10 million plastic bags are used every minute around the world [1]. You cannot recycle them in the regular curbside collection of plastic, but you should be able to find many larger food stores and retailers (for example: Target, Walmart, Tesco, Morrisons, etc.) O This requires the usage of 500 million straws, Straws and other items made of plastic are harmful, Every day in the United States. These pieces can be so small that they are invisible to our eye. Only then would a plastic straw ban be able to actually help preserve the environment. Its possible that using a plastic straw would make it easier for you to drink without spilling, but the long-term expenses are not worth it. Since the 1950s, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics have been produced, and half of that in the past 15 years alone. Plastic bags are a convenient way to carry our purchased goods when we go shopping. Straws made of plastic contribute to the pollution of our seas and streams. The explanation is quite simple. As it turns out, many microorganisms make moldable bioplastic polymers that are fully degradable. Our addiction to plastic also has negative impacts on the climate. Another example of a locally issued ban is Seattle where not only single-use plastic bags have been banned but also single-use compostable and biodegradable bags. An outright ban on plastic straws would create an accessibility problem for disabled people while dining in public. According to estimates made by scientists, there are 7.5 million polluting straws around the shores of the United States, and anywhere from 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws throughout the coastlines of the rest of the globe.
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