Why it’s time to suck it up and put down that plastic Straw

I did it again. I grabbed my iced coffee and realized that I had forgotten my reusable bamboo straw.

I had embarked on a three month challenge to do something positive for the environment— forgoing the use of plastic straws.

I picked reducing my use of plastic straws because I had seen the issue pop up more frequently on social media. It seemed like an easy way to make a difference.

The movement to ban plastic straws has gained momentum during the past year.

We know there is too much plastic waste, but why the focus on straws?

They’re an easy target. They are everywhere. And they are the most easily replaceable player in the landscape of disposable plastics.

Another reason is that too many of them find their way into our oceans, threatening important ecosystems. Plastics pollute the water, and the marine life is injured or poisoned by microplastics resulting from the breakdown of plastic straws.

What started as a grassroots movement gained traction. Big players took notice.

Last July, Seattle became the first major city to ban the use of plastic straws. In September California followed suit with the signing of a law aimed at reducing straw use.

Major companies got in the act as well. Starbucks is currently phasing out plastic straws, and several large companies such as American Airlines, Hyatt, and Marriott International have agreed to ban or drastically reduce their use.

The focus on reducing plastic straws has also been criticized as too insignificant to make a difference. Banning them alone will not save the environment or the oceans. But that misses the point. Think of plastic straws as a “gateway” to raising awareness about the real problem plastics pose to the environment.

If we are engaged around using less straws, we are also likely to think about other ways to use less disposable plastics, such as cups and containers.

Momentum is gaining, and it’s inspiring.

As an avid paddle boarder, I spend much of my free time enjoying the water. It’s been a meaningful part of my life. I’ve always taken the health of the ocean for granted. But not anymore. I wanted to do something.

Giving up plastic straws sounded easy enough, but It proved to be more of a challenge than I thought.

As a paramedic, I spend much of my day driving the responder vehicle. I can appreciate the convenience of plastic straws, which I have used countless times. Just use them and lose them!

I tried going lid-less as a strategy, but a few well placed potholes put an end to that.
I settled on a reusable bamboo straw.

But I kept forgetting it.

Stumbling along on my strawless journey, l realized good intentions are not enough. I needed new habits. I carry my bamboo straw with me at all times now. I clean it right after use so it’s ready for my next iced coffee. It’s made a difference.

After several weeks of using my bamboo straw, I find myself thinking of other ways to reduce my use of plastics. I’ll buy a reusable coffee cup, that should help too.

If we all decide to contribute in this way, we can make a real difference.
Eliminating plastic straws won’t save our environment or oceans alone. But it’s a good place to start.

Here are three things I learned on my quest to give up plastic straws:

• The path to change starts with a single step

We have to start somewhere. A single step matters. It changes our mindset as we become more aware and more committed. That step can be a simple one. Finding an alternative to plastic straws can lead us to think more about other ways to reduce our plastic use.

• One person can make a difference

We must avoid that trap of thinking that one person doesn’t matter. We are made up of “one persons.” If everyone does their part, making a simple change to reduce plastic straw usage, it adds up to large gains. That’s how we effect change.

• Reducing the use plastic straws isn’t easy.

The reason we use so many is because they are convenient. I have used countless thousands in my life without giving it a second thought. Giving them up requires commitment and planning. We find an alternative that works for us, and we commit to using it.

“Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

David Baumrind
Elephant Academy Apprentice

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