Once a week, I am offering up a tip or action or idea that we can all engage with to help reduce waste, use less materials and energy, help conserve species or habitats, and/or generally work towards living in ways that allow for more health and wellbeing for all aspects of the planet.
This week the green thought is about plastic straws. Single use plastic items are definitely bad for the environment. Once discarded, plastic degrades in the environment releasing toxins and breaking down into microplastics that clog the digestive and respiratory systems of animals who ingest or inhale them. Of the many many different plastic items that we humans make, plastic straws are particularly prone to get into waterways and pollute the natural environment. And they are so widely used that they make a big impact with approximately 2,000 tons of plastic straws entering the worlds oceans every year. Plastic straws are one of the top ten items picked up in beach cleanups every year.
One solution is to stop using plastic straws. When we get a drink for a restaurant or café, we should all think about if we really need a straw at all. Many drinks can be enjoyed simply by sipping from the edge of the cup. And if a drink really does need a straw, we can all carry reusable straws. There are some great ones made of silicone or metal that work great, are easy to carry, and are easy to clean. By reducing the straws we all use, we can all help reduce the amount of plastic in getting into the environment!
What do you think of these thoughts and the solution? Is this a step you will take? Do you have any other solution ideas?
Thank you for visiting my blog! Please check back in next week for another Green Thought Thursday!
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