It is not uncommon now to walk into a restaurant and order a drink, only to receive it with a paper straw. The same could be said for any business that is attempting to get rid of plastic dinnerware, lids, cups, and other disposables. Not everybody is happy with their paper replacements that practically dissolve when they get wet, but it is a mild annoyance at best. However, it does raise the question of whether these efforts are necessary and if a different approach needs to be taken.
The issue that most people have with plastic is that it’s not biodegradable, meaning it will continue to exist long after its usage. Plastic has had the tendency to end up in the oceans and cause harm to the environment. Only a small percentage of plastic ends up in the ocean, but millions of tons are still being misplaced. It is an issue worth acting on, but the efforts made to reduce plastic are not as effective as you may think.
Reducing the amount of plastic that we use daily does make sense at first glance, but the long-term effects this has on pollution are very minuscule. Because the amount of plastic being misplaced is so small, reducing the overall amount of plastic will hardly make a dent. Not only that, but plastic is an integral material for many companies and transportation, so it would take a while before we can stop its production.
This is why we should be less concerned about what kind of straw we are using for takeout and more concerned about waste management. Recycling is a great way for local businesses and their customers to help out. Landfills need to be more secure and prevent any trash from blowing away. Cleanup efforts at beaches and parks can also help. Rather than worrying about how much plastic is being used, we should focus on where they go after they’re used so that we can preserve our planet for the sake of everyone.
