3 reasons why banning plastic straws is dumb.

[kingjames488]

1. the tops of takeout cups are still plastic.

2. paper straws break down in liquids and make your beverage taste like paper and binder until they eventually just implode on themselves when you try to suck on them.

3. I'm like 99% sure someone went around sticking straws up sea turtles noses... how the heck do you get a straw up ur nose?!

[Shaggy]

They work fine for me. And less plastic is always good.

[Your_White_Knight]

Originally posted by kingjames488:

3 reasons why banning plastic straws is dumb.

1. the tops of takeout cups are still plastic.

2. paper straws break down in liquids and make your beverage taste like paper and binder until they eventually just implode on themselves when you try to suck on them.

3. I'm like 99% sure someone went around sticking straws up sea turtles noses... how the heck do you get a straw up ur nose?!

It's just another example of things that ~sound~ like a good idea... but is pretty pointless / useless

[kingjames488]

Originally posted by Shaggy:

They work fine for me. And less plastic is always good.

so what about the plastic tops of the takeout cups? they could be made of something else without effecting the function of the drinking vessel.

[TwisterCat]

1. True though.

2. True, have you ever actually taken a paper straw out of a drink, after 5 minutes? It looks like one of the Chernobyl NPP fuel rods.

3. Turtles are like toddlers, except even dumber, and they can swim.

[Rotan]

I remember when plastic straws came in paper wrapping, now my paper straw comes in plastic, its kinda funny...but not funny as I agree the paper straws are trash

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Each and every home used to have a tiny brick construction in their back yard to dispose of trash by burning it. Garbage trucks were the next stage where they would take it and dispose of it properly(doing away with backyard incenerators entirely). Where it actually ended up wasn't a concern until that turtle video. We were all mislead into believing trash would be dealt with properly but it has not. Its not the manufacturer's fault nor the consumer. Its whomever is in charge of those trash trucks.
Have you heard about the guire patch in the middle of the Pacific? Thats where it all went.
And the fact that they're now charging us for plastic bags at grocery stores is truly enraging. Also isn't plastic "better"? They keep flip-flopping between paper bags and plastic... making one at a time illegal on a whim and certainly without regard for the environment.(At least thats how it is in California)
I probably have A LOT more to say about this. I think its about time to recycle the thinking about environmental policy perhaps doing away with the stupid stuff that only punishes humans for existing.

[kingjames488]

Originally posted by TwisterCat:

3. Turtles are like toddlers, except even dumber, and they can swim.

but... how do you inhale a hollow tube?!

I'm genuinely curious as to how this is physically possible without it being forcefully rammed in there.

Originally posted by DarkCrystalMethod:

Each and every home used to have a tiny brick construction in their back yard to dispose of trash by burning it. Garbage trucks were the next stage where they would take it and dispose of it properly(doing away with backyard incenerators entirely). Where it actually ended up wasn't a concern until that turtle video. We were all mislead into believing trash would be dealt with properly but it has not. Its not the manufacturer's fault nor the consumer. Its whomever is in charge of those trash trucks.
Have you heard about the guire patch in the middle of the Pacific? Thats where it all went.
And the fact that they're now charging us for plastic bags at grocery stores is truly enraging. Also isn't plastic "better"? They keep flip-flopping between paper bags and plastic... making one at a time illegal on a whim and certainly without regard for the environment.(At least thats how it is in California)
I probably have A LOT more to say about this. I think its about time to recycle the thinking about environmental policy perhaps doing away with the stupid stuff that only punishes humans for existing.

I mean ya, it wasn't an issue until people started concentrating their waste into a designated location and it piles up... then you have a landfill and then you have an incinerator.

[Win2000Fan]

They have been finding straws in the stomachs of Dolphins and Whales and other marine life. Thought you younger people knew this stuff.

[kingjames488]

Originally posted by 10Transistor:

They have been finding straws in the stomachs of Dolphins and Whales and other marine life. Thought you younger people knew this stuff.

don't think I'm considered young anymore unfortunately... damn kids and their dubstep!1

as far as straws in the stomachs of dolphins and whales... first off I'm wondering how straws make their way from my recycling into the stomachs of dolphins and whales, it seems like there's someone else in the product chain who's to blame for that one... but even that being the case it's literally a hollow plastic tube and I'm sure they pass them. get back to me with cases of dolphins and especially whales dying from bowel obstructions due to straws.

like... there are cases of sharks with license plates or w.e in their stomaches and no1 is going on a crusade to ban those... seems like a shark would have a much harder time passing a license plate than a whale passing a little straw...

[Othobrithol]

Originally posted by DarkCrystalMethod:

Its not the manufacturer's fault nor the consumer.

Some of the manufacturers are completely at fault. The plastics industry carried out a massive misinformation campaign to convince the world that these new super convenient disposable items could be easily and safely recycled. They knew then it was a lie, back before most of the posters in OT were born.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by kingjames488:

Originally posted by 10Transistor:

They have been finding straws in the stomachs of Dolphins and Whales and other marine life. Thought you younger people knew this stuff.

don't think I'm considered young anymore unfortunately... damn kids and their dubstep!1

as far as straws in the stomachs of dolphins and whales... first off I'm wondering how straws make their way from my recycling into the stomachs of dolphins and whales, it seems like there's someone else in the product chain who's to blame for that one... but even that being the case it's literally a hollow plastic tube and I'm sure they pass them. get back to me with cases of dolphins and especially whales dying from bowel obstructions due to straws.

Look up the great Pacific garbage patch. It isn't the only one either. You can also look up how many rivers are trash dumps around the world as well.

[craigsters]

They sell stainless steel straws at the dollar store now

[Angel]

I use metal straws but that taste terrible.

Now I just avoid straws altogether but sometimes it can't be helped.

[kingjames488]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Originally posted by kingjames488:

don't think I'm considered young anymore unfortunately... damn kids and their dubstep!1

as far as straws in the stomachs of dolphins and whales... first off I'm wondering how straws make their way from my recycling into the stomachs of dolphins and whales, it seems like there's someone else in the product chain who's to blame for that one... but even that being the case it's literally a hollow plastic tube and I'm sure they pass them. get back to me with cases of dolphins and especially whales dying from bowel obstructions due to straws.

Look up the great Pacific garbage patch. It isn't the only one either. You can also look up how many rivers are trash dumps around the world as well.

:qr:

I'm aware of the pacific garbage pool thing... look into where it's actually coming from.

let me give you a hint: mekong river.

[kingjames488]

Originally posted by craigsters:

They sell stainless steel straws at the dollar store now

have you ever tried to clean out a straw? how you even do that?!

ever since the concept of a straw was realised, probably with a reed, it's been disposible...