Hi reader! Hope all is well. Recently, I have been going through my own sustainable journey. My past blogs have been about me going through a 5-day Sustainability Challenge (which you can find here) and how you can buy products that can help you become more sustainable (you can find here). As I slowly transition into becoming more environmentally friendly, I decided to hop onto a new trend, REUSABLE STRAWS! (The title refers to “Going PLATIC Strawless”)
This trend started in the summer of 2018 when many environmental activists made the public aware of our overwhelming plastic straw use and how it damages the planet. It took me a while to get my own reusable straws. But this past weekend I was able to order them online and have them arrive at my home. Now that I have had them for a week, I would like to let you know how they have changed my life for the better.
Less Plastic Waste!
According to the Freedonia Group, 390 million plastic straws are used by Americans every DAY! This accumulates to BILLIONS of straws being used every year. On top of that, people are not conscious of how they recycle straws. As a result, we produce a lot of waste that ends up in our oceans.
But, if we invest in reusable straws we can reduce these numbers by the millions. California has already banned plastic straws statewide. If we all make a change, we can reduce the number of plastic straws we use.
Easy to Carry Around
I thought that carrying around these metal straws would be difficult and a hassle. But the straws that I got came with a carrying bags, so I use it to carry around my straws in my backpack. That way when I got to my campus coffee shop, I can use my reusable straw instead of the plastic straws they offer.
They are Cheap
I got my pack of 8 reusable straws from Amazon for $4. Recently, it came out that millennials don’t buy environmentally friendly products because they are expensive. However, this small investment can create a big impact on the planet. They are straws that are small enough to carry around comfortably. Also, they are great quality straws for a very affordable price!
They Last Longer than Plastic
The most popular type of reusable straws is stainless steel. It has been proven that reusing has a larger impact on the planet than recycling because we create less waste that ends up on landfills. Buying reusable straws that can last long can ensure that you are creating a positive impact on the planet for a longer period of time. These straws are made to be long-lasting, so you’re reducing your waste but also reducing your carbon footprint.
Take Action
It takes a small step to create a big impact. Something as small as changing your straw habits can help reduce your impact on ocean pollution and harming ocean wildlife. Encourage your friends and family, advocate for the earth, and help keep our oceans clean from plastics that are not biodegradable.
If you have not yet, check out my last two blogs. Check out our Twitter and Instagram as well. If you would like a link to the straws I bought they will be linked here.