Plastic straws’ usage is part of the problem of plastic pollution and its adverse impact on the planet’s ecology. Nature is dying, and all new consequences of plastic are manifested. Banning straws could reduce plastic waste, but some companies and customers question this possibility due to fear of excessive effort and distrust of alternative options. This essay reviews the literature on the topic and considers the arguments for and against the use of plastic straws. The severity of the threat to the planet and people is too significant to be afraid to take action, and environmentally responsible citizens are ready for possible changes.
Keywords: plastic straws, plastic pollution, a ban on plastic, environmental protection.
Introduction
Humanity’s influence on the environment is weighty and threatens its future. One of the existing problems is the widespread use of plastic, which has become a curse of the modern world – plastic has captured the seas, land, and even the human body. The advantages of this material– durability, cheapness, lightness, and corrosion resistance – made it so popular in usage in many industries for various purposes (Qiu et al., 2022). However, difficulties in plastic processing and its large numbers have become a threat to nature and humans. More than 50% of plastic is discarded after one use, which results in 150 million tons of waste annually worldwide (Roy et al., 2021). Straws are one of the common plastic products used in the food and beverages business. Although straws are familiar and convenient, due to the threat they represent, it is necessary to choose alternative options and take measures to eliminate plastic consumption.
The threat from plastic is clear, and the influence of pollution is dangerous. As a result, many countries ban plastic products, particularly straws (Qiu et al., 2022; Romero Mosquera, 2019). However, there are many objections – plastic is important in the economy, provides jobs, and abandoning it is a challenging process requiring changes in human behavior. Moreover, straws are indispensable for a part of the population – people with disabilities (Jenks & Obringer, 2020). The debate about their ban and the search for suitable alternatives continues in the scientific literature.
This paper focuses on the arguments in favor of avoiding plastic straws. A review of the literature provides insights into trends in recent research on the studied subject. The negative consequences and threats of plastic pollution to nature and humans are described. The lack of action to change the present state of affairs will only aggravate the situation and bring additional threats. Existing alternatives to plastic straws and researchers’ views on them are also presented. The options that use other materials instead of plastic have drawbacks, but, as research shows, consumers are willing to consider them to support and protect nature. The paper reviews the arguments of opponents of the rejection of plastic straws and draws attention to possible refutations. The conclusions section summarizes all the information considered and the parties’ arguments in the dispute over the use of plastic straws.
Literature Review
Much modern research is devoted to the environmental problems, harm caused to nature, and opportunities for protection. In this regard, several issues prevail in the discussion of plastic straws – researchers are concerned about alternatives’ quality and suitability and the difficulties of abandoning such a popular product (Mundt et al., 2020). The literature also reveals the negative impact of such products and emphasizes the importance of solving the problem (Qiu et al., 2022; Viera et al., 2020; Zhou et al., 2021). Many researchers review how plastic destroys nature, threatens flora and fauna, and causes negative influence on humans (Jonsson et al., 2021; Qiu et al., 2022; Romero Mosquera, 2019; Viera et al., 2020). Therefore, the issue of finding alternatives that can replace plastic straws to reduce pollution attracts significant attention.
Customers are very accustomed to straws, and abandoning them is complex. Quality of alternative options is questionable and it is not easy to reject a suitable product. However, studies prove that various alternatives are possible and effective (Jonsson et al., 2021; Moy et al., 2021; Qiu et al., 2022; Romero Mosquera, 2019). Moreover, there is concern that consumers will be unsatisfied with the change. However, ecologically interested people are ready to choose alternative options or even abandon straws (Roy et al., 2021). Several studies agree that there are many possibilities to influence consumers’ choices, and even small changes can significantly reduce the amount of plastic (Jonsson et al., 2021; Lim & Arumugam, 2019; Mundt et al., 2021). This paper makes arguments in favor of abandoning plastic straws and critically considers the opposition side’s opinions.
Reducing the Plastic Negative Impact
The need to ban the use of plastic straws in the drinks and food industry is primarily dictated by the importance of reducing the negative effect they have. The production of straws leads to emissions of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming and harmful to nature and humans (Jonsson et al., 2021). A study by Roy et al. (2021) claims that alternative straw options and their production significantly reduce gas emissions. Such measures will slow down the pace of global warming and lessen the harm caused to the environment and humanity.
The negative impact of plastic also includes significant pollution and destruction. Since straws are made of oil-based material, they do not decompose but remain in nature forever (Viera et al., 2020). As a result, plastic destroys the habitats of various animals – from birds to marine species, injures them or gets stuck in the body, and the released harmful substances poison them (Qiu et al., 2022). Moreover, destruction covers not only natural ecosystems harming animals but also agriculture, depleting the soil and limiting plant growth (Qiu et al., 2022). This consequence will affect people since agriculture is the basis for ensuring food safety. Reducing the consumption of plastic straws will help restore nature and preserve many species of flora and fauna.
Plastic micro- and nanoparticles, which result from the destruction of discarded plastic, and their influence present a significant concern to researchers. Micro- and nanoplastic are absorbed by various animals, negatively affecting their organisms (Qiu et al., 2022). The particles also impair the balance of nutrition, reproduction, and growth of nature (Viera et al., 2020). Entering the body of animals, microplastics are introduced into the human nutrition chain and impact their health, affecting the central nervous system and reproductive processes (Qiu et al., 2022). If plastic consumption is not reduced, the effect on animal and human health will increase, leading to irreversible negative consequences.
Alternatives Exist
While many manufacturers and companies question the reliability of alternatives instead of plastic straws, their choice and variety are pretty promising. For example, Qiu et al. (2022) highlight paper and metal straws as alternatives, and Romero Mosquera (2019) complements the list with such options as corn-based, bamboo, silicone, and edible straws. Cane, rice starch, wheat, and polylactic acid (PLA) are more material variants. Another alternative is to avoid using straws, but they are too accustomed to people and, in some cases, irreplaceable (Lim & Arumugam, 2019). However, new opportunities for producing and using straws to reduce plastic waste are necessary for building the planet’s future (Zhou et al., 2021). Therefore, despite the objections, companies should carefully study the advantages of existing alternative options and choose some of them for usage.
Alternative types of straws and their properties have been attracting researchers for some time. In particular, the most famous option for plastic replacement – the paper one gets criticism – such straws dissolve; they are also difficult to process, produce, and store for a long time (Moy et al., 2021; Qiu et al., 2022). When evaluating the straws’ life cycle, such material is inferior to a product made from PLA, known as bioplastic, the advantage of which is complete decomposability (Moy et al., 2021). At the same time, knowing the buyer’s opinions about alternatives straws suitability is critical when deciding on alternatives. For example, Jonsson et al. (2021) revealed that it is crucial for consumers that straws do not affect the drink’s taste: among the options considered, this requirement is met by cornstarch one. Existing straw alternatives offer new opportunities for a creative approach to consumer engagement and reducing the impact of plastic.
Opposition Opinion
Frequent arguments against the plastic straws ban are the difficulties of transitioning to alternatives and ignoring the current product’s importance to a part of the population. Plastic companies have invested much effort in developing straws, and their production gives jobs, so they must take many steps to abandon them (Roy et al., 2021). Moreover, actions to get rid of plastic straws are accused of ignoring the interests of people with disabilities (Jenks & Obringer, 2020). Many of them need such straws, and existing alternatives are not suitable and can even be dangerous (Jenks & Obringer, 2020). Despite the difficulty of abandoning plastic products, such a step is necessary to preserve the future of the planet and humanity, and security cannot be achieved differently than with strict measures. Efforts should include actions to protect the interests of people with disabilities and develop convenient straw options for them. However, the need to solve the problem and its consequences in the case of inaction requires strong immediate measures.
The consumer habit of using plastic straws and the need to change it also often stops companies from applying alternatives. Notably, a significant shift in people’s attitude toward attractiveness and the need to use straws is required (Roy et al., 2021). However, studies demonstrate that most often, consumers take straws by default (Mundt et al., 2020). A simple change in giving visitors a choice to take or not take straws or providing them alternatives can reduce consumption (Jonsson et al., 2021; Mundt et al., 2020). Moreover, companies can use particular strategies to influence consumers through marketing and show a responsible attitude toward the environment (Lim & Arumugam, 2019). Most of the population is open to change and will accept alternative options to plastic straws. Even if the complete elimination of plastic is not possible at the moment, the measures taken will reduce the volume of pollution and will be a critical step toward environmental protection.
Conclusion
The widespread use of plastic, while convenient and accustomed, has had many negative consequences for the environment and humanity. Plastic straws applied in the food and beverage business are a significant part of the problem. Due to difficulties in recycling, plastic spreads to various parts of the planet, does not decompose, and, consequently, contributes to the destruction of ecosystems and the deaths of animals and plants. Moreover, the nano- and microparticles of this material penetrate the human body, harming the central nervous and reproductive systems. There are various alternatives for plastic straws – from reusable metal, made of cornstarch, or even their complete refusal. They have flaws and arouse suspicion among companies and customers, but they are worth considering for improving of the environmental situation.
Opponents of the ban on plastic straws believe that abandoning them has many shortcomings, and people’s habits cannot change. Plastic is a significant part of the economy, and the production of alternatives will require other resources and changes for substantial collaborative efforts from various stakeholders. Plastic straws are also necessary for people with disabilities, which is often disregarded by environmental research. However, given the severity of the threat, there is no denying the need for measures to reduce plastic waste despite its complexity. It is crucial to devote more time to their development, considering the interests of various groups of the population whose interests were previously ignored. The argument about the difficulty of changing a person’s habits is not so influential since many are ready to use alternative options, and straws are often used only by default. Even minor efforts can contribute to the solution to the problem.
References
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