Straws: if we make a short calculation of how long we use them (about 20 minutes) and how long it takes to dispose of them (500 years), we will understand that we can do without them, especially since disposable plastics are not recyclable.
Straws: if we make a short calculation of how long we use them (about 20 minutes) and how long it takes to dispose of them (500 years), we will understand that we can do without them, especially since disposable plastics are not recyclable.
Plastic straws are the symbol of disposable, more than a billion are used all over the world, in the United States alone 500 million are consumed every day. The data are those of the Plastic Pollution Coalition which also tells us that in Europe straws are among the top 5 waste collected on the coasts.
In some countries like London, about 2 billion are used a year, so much so that the Evening Standard has launched a petition on Change.org to ask producers to ban them or find eco-sustainable solutions this year.
Plastic straws are one of the greatest symbols of disposable culture. Usually made of non-recyclable materials, their permanence in landfills is destined to last for decades. Giving up their use could be only a tiny drop in the ocean, but it does not necessarily mean that this cannot be transformed into an effective way to learn to do without other disposable accessories and utensils, such as glasses and plastic plates or razors, only for cite some examples of objects of common use. There are many reasons not to use them anymore, here are a few.
Index
Here are 5 great reasons to never use plastic straws again
The United States consumes 500 million disposable straws every day
It is certainly the most alarming figure. You wonder how is this possible? Think about the last time you went to a pub and had a cocktail. Surely you took two straws, but the barman had already used another one to taste your drink and check its taste. How many times has the waiter placed a handful of straws on the table, which if you don't use them, maybe he throws them away? Let's say that unfortunately the accounts add up.
Plastic straws cannot be recycled
Common straws are made of non-recyclable materials (but fortunately there are also biodegradable ones on the market). Most are made of polypropylene which is low quality plastic which is also used for yogurt containers and tubs for other food items.
Plastic straws end up on beaches and oceans
As we know, there are real oceans of plastic. For example, we told you about the 10 most polluted beaches in the world. Here we say that plastic constitutes 90% of all garbage floating in our oceans. Straws are among the top five litter we find in the sea.
Plastic straws kill marine animals and birds
Remember the wonderful turtle who swallowed a straw? 44% of all seabird species and 22% of all cetaceans have ingested plastic at least once in their life. The presence of plastic exceeds even that of algae, which means that those who eat algae also eat plastic because the tiny spheres get confused.
Attentions strong images in this video:
Drinks don't change flavor without straws!
Sure it's trendy, but straws don't change the flavor of the drink. At home we don't use them, so let's say that we can drink from an ordinary glass, thinking about how good it is for our environment.
The Marevivo countryside
Therefore, small changes are enough, eliminate the superfluous and prefer more sustainable solutions to combat the impact of marine pollution. Marevivo launches an awareness campaign to reduce the use of disposable plastic with straws.
“In recent years, disposable plastic has invaded us, it is everywhere, it has become part of our daily life. It turned into an invisible "monster" and we didn't realize the devastating damage it was causing to marine life and its habitat. Straws enter the nostrils of turtles and the esophagus of animals. We therefore decided to launch this campaign because human habits cannot always have repercussions on animals and the environment, especially when there are valid alternatives to avoid them ", he explains. Rosalba Giugni, president of Marevivo.
You might be interested in:
- Straw Wars: British locals wage war on straws
The campaign also aims to raise awareness among citizens that they can do without the plastic straw and ask that the place no longer use them, explaining the reasons and advising them to opt for biodegradable ones in paper, glass, steel or bamboo. Furthermore, all interested citizens will be able to participate in the cleaning days of the beaches and the mouths of the rivers that will be organized by Marevivo.
Dominella Trunfio
