Why You Should Invest in a Reusable Straw

Why+You+Should+Invest+in+a+Reusable+Straw

500 million straws are used every day by Americans; that’s enough to fill up 127 school busses! Plastic straws are also the 11th most common found trash in our oceans, and they take up to 200 years to decompose. Most of these straws aren’t recyclable, and they break up into little pieces of micro-plastic, instead of disintegrating right away. The ocean is being polluted by plastic straws and killing marine life. When marine life ingests plastic, it could kill them or make its way into our food supply. This plastic has been found in the stomachs of marine life found in the Mariana Trench. Imagine what eating plastic would feel like. 1,000,000 seabirds have become victims of plastic straws, dying as a result. They choke on the small straws from juice boxes because they block their airways.  Many have also seen the viral video of the sea turtle that has a plastic straw stuck in its nose. Since many species of sea turtles are already considered endangered, plastic straws pose a bigger threat for their future.

While we may think that plastic straws are recyclable, most of them end up slipping through the recycling sorter because they are too small. This means they end up in garbage or they contaminate recycling loads. Typically, these plastic straws end up in the ocean by human error. We throw away our trash in beach trash bins, and the ocean breeze can blow the trash out and into the ocean. Also, we need to remember that sewers and drains lead to the ocean, so the straw that we carelessly threw on the ground, “accidentally” dropped, or threw in the trash could’ve easily blown into the sewer or down a drain.

So, what can we do as humans to help our future? Consider stop using plastic straws and buy a reusable one! Here are some recommended and affordable options:

1)   FinalStraw– The FinalStraw is a collapsible, stainless steel straw. The straw itself can be purchased in either rainbow or silver, and you can pick whatever color case you want. It also includes a drying rack and squeegee for the straw in the carrying case. This straw is designed for people on the go! For only $24.99, it may seem a little expensive, but this company guarantees their product is long-lasting and made in an eco-friendly facility.

https://finalstraw.com/products/the-final-straw?variant=13681294671938

2)   Greens Steel: Stainless Steel Straw Set– If you want a cheaper option, as well as more than one straw this is the product for you. These straws come in a package of four and a brush to clean the straws is included. These are just simple stainless steel straws that cost $10 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Straw-Set-Eco-Friendly/dp/B01MS88YOK?creativeASIN=B01MS88YOK&linkCode=w61&imprToken=BedTxZ6utAJTIKWGSEKbog&slotNum=4&ascsubtag=[]st[p]cjjiwnuj7001ovay6yse7vbl1[i]rdfUDW[z]m[d]D[r]google.com&tag=thestrategistsite-20

3)   JimJim Clear Glass Straws– These straws can be found on Amazon as well for only $7.99. You can get two bent and two straight, and they also come with a cleaning brush.

https://www.amazon.com/Drinking-Reusable-Healthy-Friendly-Cleaning/dp/B01N00OEJQ?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAINYWQL7SPW7D7JCA&tag=aboutcom02thespruceeats-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01N00OEJQ&ascsubtag=4177110%7Cgoogle.com%7C%7C%7C1%2C41%7C1%7C

4)   SimplyStraws– SimplyStraws offers a variety of straws and their prices range from $10-$20. All are reusable and most of them come with cleaners.

https://simplystraws.com

 

It is predicted that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by the year 2050. These straws fill up landfills and collect in oceans and harm animals. We want our future generations to be able to experience the same beaches and oceans we do, maybe even a better one. A reusable straw is taking us one step closer to a cleaner ocean and a cleaner planet. Let’s eliminate this extra use of plastic and keep our planet healthy!

 

Cover photo by Wide Open Eats