RE: (IJCH) Bent out of shape over plastic straws? Seriously!? And I suppose you think saccharin is bad too?
You might want to take a look at what plastic is doing to our oceans before telling everyone how great it is, it makes you look quite silly.
As for straws, the point is that they are not needed by anyone except those that have a temporary injury or permanent disability and then they can be quite useful. Nobody NEEDS them, we can consume our drinks without them so they are not necessary. Its hardly like not using them brings any hardship to anybody.
I agree that there are bigger fish to fry but those fish might need to be given a second thought before being fried, thats the point, straws whether available or not shouldn't matter to anyone so not sure why you're triggered by them.
P.S. my children have decided not to use them any more, are you happy with a 6 year old having more foresight than you.
P.P.S every piece of plastic ever made is still with us, just let that sink in while eating your mussels. (you can google mussels and plastic if you don't get the reference)
And I'm all for recycling plastic and NOT polluting the land or the oceans.
Did I say that I was pro-littering in my post?
Point it out and I will delete it immediately!
Thanks for commenting, I upvoted it.
And double-thanks. You just made me feel 50 years younger...
To ban plastic straws is a half asar response and will achieve NO result.
But it is OK because you can still have your plastic cups and lids.
To say plastics are bad and walk past a piece of trash on the ground makes people Hippocrates not environmentalist
Hopefully people will start to take action or even just think about their use which will be a start. I live in the UK so we are not affected even half as badly as some parts of the world so I suppose I could just ignore it and carry on regardless.
I should give you some background on why this is a current news trend, there was a massively popular TV show on recently presented by David Attenborough who is a British institution. It was called Blue Planet and featured our planets oceans. In that show there were incredibly emotive images of a sea turtle with a plastic straw inserted in its nose. Now you may argue that its ridiculous to change policy because of one animals plight but people have had an emotional response to it and have started to question whether plastic straws are necessary. It's just one of those things. My kids have decided they don't want to use straws any more, it may be a drop in the ocean (to coin a phrase) but I'm not going to rain on their parade as its a tiny but positive act,
Now I'm more bothered about plastic micro beads that are being used in washing powders etc so those products are not purchased by us. I/we don't claim to have all the answers but lots of small positive acts add up and are all baby steps in the right direction.
You are right that we could all do more and hopefully we all will to help this planet that we all share and all call home.
What is happening to our oceans with trash is a disgrace.
This so called effort on the plastic straws has nothing to do with our environment. Starbucks a billion dollar company pretty much started this trend with the banning. Its about the bottom line. paper straws cost less then plastic in bulk. Replace the lid with a combo lid straw, that uses more plastic but cost less to purchase.
The trash in the ocean will not be reduced. May not add to it but will do noting to improve it.
The campaign was to decrease plastic use. Deception is what it is.
People can't even bend over and pick up a piece of trash off the ground that they see. Or throw the wrapper on the ground instead of walking 15 ft. to a garbage can. There is a start and everyone can be involved.
Lets be honest and have the discussion. With out self interest clouding the water
Some would say that the only real power that the people now have is their power as a consumer. If people refuse straws when they are offered (or anything else for that natter) and also stop buying them then no corporation (no matter how large) will make them. It's easy, don't want them - don't use them and the problem is sorted.
The same goes for any product that is toxic, environmentally unfriendly or any other negative you care to mention.
No corporation will produce products that they can't sell so a lot of the power is with the people.
Now there is another issue with damaging manufacturing processes etc which require more research and education to learn about but as a start, don't like - don't buy or use can achieve a lot.
LOL yes that is absolutely correct.
But people will complain about or prevent others from things but not themselves.