Currently, the scale of plastic pollution in the oceans is staggering. It is estimated that between 8 and 11 million tons of plastic enters the oceans every year – as much as if an entire garbage truck were dumping plastic into the ocean every minute.
Often we do not pay due attention to the problem of ocean pollution, because it seems to us that we are too far from it and this topic does not concern us. We tend to pay more attention to what happens on land, even though we have just as much, if not more, impact on the oceans. But they are so far from us, so out of our sight that we lack the awareness to think about what is happening to them and what effect our lifestyle has on them.
It would seem that plastic straws are such an insignificant share among all the world’s plastic, but only in the USA people use 500 million straws every day. Most of these straws end up in the world’s oceans, where they pollute coastlines or collect in circular currents.
Ultimately, representatives of the marine fauna mistakenly take tubes for food. Swallowing tubes and their parts leads to injury or even death, or they can get stuck in the bodies of animals, causing them pain – as in the case, the suffering of which caused a violent reaction from many caring people. Straws also break down into microplastics over time, which leach toxins into the water and eventually cover the seafloor.
From this perspective, reducing the use of straws seems to be a pretty effective start in preventing the further spread of plastic pollution in the oceans.
A straw is one of those things that you can easily say no to without compromising your lifestyle. It’s not hard to get rid of them.
So how do you stop using plastic straws in your daily life? We offer you seven alternatives!
1. Bamboo straws
Bamboo straws are lightweight, reusable and do not contain chemicals or dyes. Bamboo straws are made directly from bamboo stalks and are easy to clean.
2. Straw straws
Yes, it’s a pun – but also a good alternative to plastic straws. These straws are especially worth checking out for bars and restaurants that are looking for a more stylish design!
3. Paper straws
Paper straws are disposable, but still a good alternative to plastic straws. Paper straws are strong enough not to break down in a drink and are completely compostable.
4. Metal straws
Metal straws are durable, easy to clean and you can always carry them in your bag without fear of accidentally breaking them.
5. Glass straws
Glass straws are heavily used in Bali and support local efforts to combat plastic pollution. Curved glass straws are especially convenient, thanks to which you do not have to tilt the glass.
6. Reusable bottle or cup with straw
Reusable water bottles and cups with reusable straws and lids are an easy and convenient way to avoid plastic straws.
7. Don’t use a straw
In most cases, there is no need for straws, and you can drink directly from a cup or glass. It is true that some drink lids are designed specifically for drinking straws (such as iced coffee lids), but more recently brands are starting to develop lids that do not require the use of a straw to drink.