Plastic straws have become a real annoyance for me. It’s estimated that easily 60 million plastic straws (a.k.a. drinking straws) are thrown away every day! Unless someone has a health issue that prevents them from drinking directly from a cup the cons easily outweigh the pros.
Your health: There is mounting evidence that plastics, even when labeled BPA-feee (which straws are not), have the potential to leach into what we eat and drink. Using a straw is an unnecessary risk for toxic exposure.
Your looks: similar to smoking, the act of sucking on a straw over a span of years can increase wrinkles around your mouth.
Your legacy: Many plastic straws are made from polypropolene #5 making them harder to recycle, especially since they aren’t marked with the recycling triangle symbol. As a result, they end up in landfills and oceans for generations to come (pretty obscene considering that straws are typically used for only a matter of minutes). The accumulation of plastic ultimately threatens drinking water safety since landfills aren’t leakproof and waste eventually seeps into underground water sources. Additionally, wildlife as well as marinelife commonly ingest pieces of the straws as they break down into smaller pieces. That can lead to malnutrition, gene mutation, and even death.
What you can do: If you don’t want to suck, simply request “no straw” whenever ordering a drink. Be sure to make the request right away because many establishments put straws in every drink, including tap water, without even thinking about it. For those of you who are brave, talk with the manager and encourage them to reconsider their straw using policy for customers, which can save them money and increase profits. Speaking of saving money, most states spend billions annually in cleaning up plastic debris. By changing your habits and inspiring others to do the same you help save tax dollars!
Switching out the plastic: Now, if you want to keep your love affair with straws alive for entertaining, beverages on-the-go, or for keeping your lipstick on (if you wear it) buy a reusable straw or set. GlassStraws.com offers American made straight and bent straws plus cleaning accessories. GlassDharma sells more decorative straws along with sustainable hemp straw sleeves. Stainless Steel straws are another option. Look for great deals on sites like Amazon.com for products such as Endurance Stainless Steel Drink Straws. Prices on any of these items range from under $5 to over $30.
My mission: As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Eco Expert, I’m dedicated to leading you straight to the core of what it takes to enjoy a new level of vitality, weight loss, and detoxification. I love helping clients across the U.S. transform their lives.
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