ELi5: How did plastic straws specifically become targeted for eco-friendly banning, but similar disposables like plastic forks and spoons didn’t?
In: Culture
Off-topic but I just tried one of the new paper straws this week. They need a bit of work–there is a slight taste and texture to it in your mouth as you can feel a tiny bit of the straw come apart due to your saliva. Kind of like you’re licking cardboard. Also, I did not drink very quickly and the straw that was in the liquid started to get soggy.
What I would like to see is it becoming normal to carry around utensils and a re-usable straw of your own, and perhaps get served beverages more often in washable cups/glasses that require no straw.
Have you ever tried to eat take out with a paper fork?
In EU at least, it’s not just straws but all plastic single items, see
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/05/21/council-adopts-ban-on-single-use-plastics/
There’s a lot of places in seattle that only give out bioplastics now. Straws, lids, cups, whatever. Cheaper places tend not to, margins are lower I guess.
It is important to take little steps because a lot of little steps lead to bigger changes.
I would guess the sheer volume. Every fast food restaurant gives out plastic straws with every drink. How many give out plastic ware?
Every convenience store and gas station has a soda fountain and straws. How many have plastic ware?
Most sit down restaurants have plastic disposable straws and metal flatware.
If you go anywhere and get a fountain drink, you get a plastic straw. But how often do you see plastic ware? Pretty unusual outside of places like KFC or Wendy’s.
Honestly plastic forks and spoons aren’t even half of it. Have you tried buying a pre packaged meal at a grocery store? Absolutely unacceptable levels of waste
i need a fork to eat, i dont need a straw to drink a cocktail?
Plastic forks and spoons are generally recyclable.
Plastic straws are generally not recyclable.
Straws fit up a sea turtles nose the easiest. There was a turtle with a straw stuck in his nose and it went viral.
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