Of the many important reasons why you should ditch plastic straws, should wrinkles be one of them?
According to skin care expert, Renee Rouleauif you wish Avoid wrinkles around your mouth You have to give up plastic straws (and other straws too).
Apparently, the act of sucking breaks down the skin’s collagen and elasticity. Result? Wrinkled “smoker’s lines” around your lips. Shit.
Even without the anti-aging frenzy, I’ve personally been raging against plastic straws.
what a waste!
One thing that bothers me about plastic straws is how wasteful they are. Whether I’m sitting in a four-star restaurant, a diner or a dive, my water glass usually comes with a straw. My martini doesn’t come with a straw. No one would think of giving me a straw with a beer. But water? or soda? The server doesn’t even ask.
This became very difficult for me a few weeks ago. I was at a cute new eatery in charming Bethesda, MD and ordered an appetizer and a drink. The server saw water glasses that already had straws in them. I was annoyed. I guess I should have said “no straws, please” right away when I ordered, but I forgot.
So there it sat in my glass, a stupid plastic straw.
Soon after, the restaurant owner came over to my table to say hello and asked how we liked his place.
Before anyone could say anything, I said, “It’s not that good yet. Why are you serving drinking straws? Do you know what chemicals are in plastic? And this one straw will take 10,000 years to break down? And how much micropollution is there in the ocean? and and…”
Yes, I was blabbering. But I made my point that the menu brags about how sustainable the food is, but if he really wants to run an environmentally responsible establishment, he needs to stop automatically dispensing straws.
He promised to do so on the spot.
I sure wish it were that easy to eliminate straws globally. ecocycle It is reported that 500 million straws are used daily in the US.
This is enough to fill 127 school buses per day, more than 46,400 buses each year. If we don’t stop using plastic straws, Ecocycle estimates that each American between the ages of 5 and 65 will use approximately 38,000 or more straws.
Mind boggling!
Even when you think a straw is being “thrown away”, there is a good chance that the straw will end up as roadside litter or decompose into smaller pieces. Which are called microplastics.
This microplastic eventually finds its way into our rivers, lakes, oceans and bodies.
In fact, microplastic pollution is becoming one of the deadliest forms of marine pollution that we are trying to eliminate.
Plastic straws also harm wildlife. Watch this video of a poor sea turtle with a straw stuck in his nose. Horrible!
are also manufacturing plastic pollutes the air, Most plastic is made from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas, says plastic-free activist Beth Terry.
Toxic emissions from the use of these fuels can include benzene, toluene, xylene, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds that “affect the health of everyone within breathing distance.”
How to Avoid Plastic Straws at Restaurants and When You Buy Fast Food
Plastic straws are useless to me and most people. I never use straws at home, so avoiding them when I’m out has been the key for me to stop using them completely. How?
⇒Ask servers at restaurants to leave the straw as soon as they offer to bring your water.
⇒Make it a habit to encourage any restaurants you visit to ask their customers if they want a straw before automatically bringing one.
⇒The same thing applies to fast food also. When you get a shake or soda, order without a straw.
If you want a straw, or want a straw for your child, what plastic-free options do you have?
If you have kids who spill their drinks if they don’t use a straw, you still have a few options.
♥ One, bring your own stainless steel straws for use (see below).
♥ Two, take a sippy cup with you to a restaurant and ask for their drink to be served in your cup.
Here are some eco-friendly alternatives to plastic straws.
The best reusable straw. You can get them in glass, stainless steel, and even bamboo. I’m partial to stainless steel.
stainless steel drinking straws – These straws fit into a tall glass or reusable tumbler. They won’t break, and they come with a fine bristle brush so they’re easy to keep clean.
Stainless Steel Smoothie Straws – These are wide straws for smoothies and shakes.
stainless steel sippy cup – These cups come with Or Without Their own straws.
LifeWithoutPlastic.com Sells straws made of bamboo, glass, and stainless steel that come with their own convenient carrying cases so you can keep them in your purse, backpack, or brief case without worrying that they’ll break.
Pledge to stop using disposable plastic straws
It’s probably too late for me to worry about wrinkles, but at least I can take the No Straws Please pledge organized by the Plastic Pollution Coalition and the Last Plastic Straw campaign. You can join me here.
Note: This article was originally published here MomsCleanAirForce.org, a powerful activist organization of one million mothers. Please check them out!
10 Questions Related to Ditching Plastic Straws
- How to Politely Decline Plastic Straws at Restaurants?
– Explain different ways to politely request no straw when ordering.
– Offer examples of phrases like “No straw for me, thanks!” or “I’d prefer to skip the straw, please.”
– Briefly discuss scenarios where a straw might be needed for accessibility reasons. - How to Choose the Perfect Reusable Straw?
– Compare different reusable straw materials (stainless steel, silicone, bamboo, glass).
– Discuss factors like size, shape, cleaning methods, and portability.
– Briefly mention disposable paper straws as an alternative. - How to Make Your Own Reusable Straw Pouch?
– Provide a step-by-step guide with pictures for sewing a simple pouch.
– Offer tips on choosing fabric and personalizing the pouch.
– Briefly mention other ways to carry reusable straws (keychain clips, cases). - How to Host a Zero-Waste Party?
– Discuss alternatives to plastic straws like edible straws or no straws at all.
– Offer tips on using reusable plates, cups, and cutlery.
– Include ideas for eco-friendly decorations and party favors. - How to Talk to Your Favorite Restaurant About Ditching Plastic Straws?
– Explain how to approach the conversation politely and constructively.
– Suggest offering straws only upon request or using biodegradable alternatives.
– Provide resources they can explore for implementing sustainable practices. - How to Make a Difference in Your Community?
– Discuss ways to raise awareness about plastic straw pollution.
– Offer ideas for organizing local clean-up events or petitions.
– Briefly mention contacting local businesses to encourage them to go straw-free. - How to DIY Upcycled Crafts from Plastic Straws (Before You Ditch Them All)?
– Provide creative ideas for reusing leftover plastic straws before throwing them away.
– Offer project examples suitable for adults and children.
– Briefly reiterate the importance of switching to reusable options in the long run. - How to Reduce Microplastics in Your Daily Life (Beyond Straws)?
– Discuss other sources of microplastics besides plastic straws (synthetic clothing, microbeads).
– Offer tips on reducing microplastic pollution through laundry practices and product choices.
– Briefly mention the impact of microplastics on human health (ongoing research). - How to Get Your Kids on Board with Ditching Plastic Straws?
– Explain the environmental impact of plastic straws in a kid-friendly way.
– Offer fun alternatives like colorful reusable straws or skipping straws altogether.
– Briefly mention involving kids in making eco-friendly choices at home. - How to Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle?
– Briefly discuss ditching plastic straws as one step in a broader sustainable living approach.
– Offer additional tips on reducing waste, conserving energy, and minimizing your environmental footprint.
– Include resources for learning more about sustainable living practices.
FAQs:
Plastic straws are a major contributor to plastic pollution. They are single-use items, often ending up in landfills or littering our streets. These lightweight items can easily get blown by wind and end up in waterways, rivers, and ultimately, oceans. Since plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics, which pollute the water and harm marine life that mistake them for food.
The statistics are staggering! According to estimates, the US alone uses a whopping 500 million plastic straws daily. That’s enough to fill over 125 school buses every day, translating to a mind-boggling 46,400 school buses worth of plastic straws used in the US each year!
Unfortunately, many plastic straws don’t get thrown away properly. They end up littering streets, parks, and beaches, becoming unsightly and a hazard to wildlife. Even if thrown away, they might not reach landfills. Landfills are often overflowing, and plastic straws can be easily blown away by wind, further polluting the environment. Discarded straws can also break down into microplastics, entering our waterways and the food chain.
Absolutely not! In most cases, we can comfortably drink water, soda, or even some juices directly from the glass or cup. Skipping straws for these beverages is a simple way to reduce plastic waste.
sustainable alternatives to plastic straws that are reusable and environmentally friendly. Popular options include:
Metal Straws: Durable and long-lasting, metal straws come in various sizes and shapes. They can be easily cleaned and reused countless times.
Bamboo Straws: A natural and biodegradable option, bamboo straws are a sustainable choice. However, they may require more frequent replacement than metal straws.
Glass Straws: A stylish and eco-friendly choice, glass straws are reusable and dishwasher safe. However, they are heavier and more fragile than metal or bamboo options.
automatically include straws with drinks. To politely decline, you can say:
“No straw, please” when placing your order.
“I’d prefer to skip the straw, thank you.”
“Would you mind holding the straw on this one?”
While repetitive pursing of the lips over time might contribute to the formation of wrinkles, particularly around the mouth, there’s no strong scientific evidence directly linking straw use to wrinkles. Focus on sun protection, a healthy lifestyle, and proper skin care for a more impactful approach to wrinkle prevention.
The key difference lies in reusability. A single reusable straw can replace hundreds, even thousands, of single-use plastic straws over its lifetime. This significantly reduces overall waste compared to the constant use of disposable plastic straws.
Plastic straws pose a significant threat to marine animals like sea turtles, birds, and fish. Animals can become entangled in straws, leading to injuries or even death. They can also mistake straws for food, causing internal blockages and starvation. The presence of microplastics from broken-down straws further complicates the issue, entering the food chain and harming marine life.
Many environmental organizations like Ocean Conservancy and Lonely Whale have information on the issue. You can also find heartbreaking videos online showcasing the impact of plastic straws on marine animals, motivating you to make a change.