The Anti-Straw Movement Is Stupid And Pointless

Banning plastic straws is not the answer to solving the plastic pollution problem in our oceans. Find out why.

Why Sucking Doesn’t Mean You Suck

When did you last see a plastic straw at a restaurant? Lawmakers and people all over the world are taking action and doing what they think is best for the environment by trying to get plastic straws completely outlawed. Hundreds of "Stop Sucking" campaigns are cropping up and in some countries, plastic straws have already been banned outright. While most of you may think that this is a good thing, think again.

Plastic Straws Are Not the Devil’s Tools

Yes, the tons of plastic in our oceans are killing marine life at a crazy rate. The massive hype about plastic straws is on overdrive and we are beginning to feel that every time we have a Frappuccino, we’re somehow killing a sea turtle.

But, as it often is, the truth is far from the hysteria, and even if plastic straws immediately cease to exist on the planet, our oceans will still be filled with more plastic than fish in a couple of generations. This straw fixation is actually quite weird—straws are not even a major source of marine plastic pollution. And to make the anti-straw movement even more nonsensical, straws can actually be good. In fact, there are people in the world who genuinely need them and whose quality of life will be seriously affected if they are banned.

Why We Can’t Ditch the Plastic Straw Completely

Photo by EdZbarzhyvetsky / Via depositphotos.com

Disabled people rely on bendy plastic straws. Without them, these people not only struggle to eat, drink, and take medication at home but are also be limited in going out. Restaurants will be less accessible to them should straws be outlawed. No, they can’t bring their own. We are talking about people who may not even be able to reach into a bag or a pocket take something out.

Sadly, there is not really a suitable alternative. A 60-year old woman with mobility problems recently died in the UK after using a metal straw and falling on it when the straw impaled her eye socket and her brain. Paper straws pose a choking hazard and also have a significant carbon footprint, as do metal and silicone. Glass straws are dangerous to disabled people for obvious reasons. All these alternatives are also costly and hard to clean, which means that there is the added risk of mold and bacteria growing in multiple-use straws.

But What About the Oceans?

There are other ways to save the turtles, people! Here are some pointers:

Photo by olegbreslavtsev / Via depositphotos.com

• There should be a cultural shift in how we produce waste, and waste producers should pay for it.

• We should begin redesigning plastics so they can be broken down and recycled.

Vector by OlhaKostiuk / Via depositphotos.com

• Smart public policies that deal with recycling infrastructure should be implemented.

Vector by yupiramos / Via depositphotos.com

• Other single-use plastics should be targeted instead of the humble straw. Take fishing gear, plastic bags, and balloons, for example.

• Stop eating so much fish! Fishing gear like nets, lines, and buoys are some of the largest contributors to marine pollution.

• Bring reusable bags to stores and keep using them.

Fantastic Plastic / Via quotecatalog.com

• Replace plastic bottles and utensils with metal and buy non-perishables in bulk to reduce packaging.

While plastic pollution is a devastating reality, getting hysterical about straws and not considering people who genuinely need them is not the answer. Governments and people around the world could do with a bit more common sense, instead of this irrational witch-hunt.