Plastic Straws Kill – Switch to Steel Straws today !
According to a study conducted by the Plymouth University of England, plastic pollution affects at least 700 marine species, while some estimates suggest that at least 100 million marine mammals like Whales, Dolphins, Seals and Sea Lions are killed each year from plastic pollution.
Sea Turtles and Sea Birds are other species that are majorly affected by the plastic waste left on the beaches or disposed into our oceans.
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| Sea Turtles are the worst affected by Plastic Pollution of the Oceans |
HOW CAN A SMALL PLASTIC STRAW KILL?
Plastic straws are single-use, lightweight, and made from Polypropylene, a material which cannot be easily recycled and is also degraded slowly. Plastic straws are preferred to be used only once before being discarded.
Plus, these plastic straws really are non-essential (we can drink soda without a straw -straight from the glass – right?). As a result, the negative environmental impact of plastic straws is much more disproportionate to its size given the sheer number of straws and the fact that they are difficult to get rid off .
DOESN’T RECYCLING HELP ?
Most plastic straws are too lightweight to make it through the mechanical recycling sorter. They drop through sorting screens and mix with other materials and are too small to separate, contaminating recycling loads or getting disposed as garbage.
BAD EFFECTS OF PLASTIC ON HUMANS AND MARINE FAUNA
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When plastic makes its way into the ocean, instead of biodegrading or dissolving, it breaks down into tiny pieces known as ‘micro-plastic’ which poses great threats to marine life including fish.
It is projected that by 2050, 99% of all sea bird species will have ingested plastic. Almost 50% of the these Sea Birds are likely to die once they ingest plastic. Unfortunately and alarmingly ,there already is evidence of micro-plastics in Shellfish, Sea salt and even 94% of U.S. tap water.
Scientists at the New Materials Institute ,University of Georgia conducted a new study which discovered micro-plastics (particles that are smaller than dust or powdered sugar ) inside baby sea turtles. Of the turtles studies in this research, 100% were found to have eaten plastic. These baby sea turtles were likely to die due to ingested plastic.
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES To PLASTIC STRAWS?
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| Reusable Steel Straws can be a good alternative to plastic straws |
SAY NO TO PLASTIC STRAWS
Till the time we come up with the technology that can create a completely degradable plastic straw that does not kill , say “No to PLASTIC straws”!
Every time you sit down in a restaurant , ask your server not to give you any plastic straws and also ask your kids to do the same. After all ,education about saving our planet has to start early and from with in our homes .
SWITCH TO STEEL,PAPER OR BAMBOO INSTEAD OF PLASTIC STRAWS
Make the switch to more Eco-friendly options like biodegradable bamboo straws and paper straws. This applies more to restaurants that serve drinks and beverages .
CARRY YOUR OWN STEEL STRAWS AND SPOONS
You can carry your own steel straw , a single person can use hundreds of plastic or paper straws in his lifetime. Why not switch to a steel straw that is easy to carry and clean and lasts a lifetime !
If you are convinced to get some steel straws for your family or your organization then
Steel My Straws produces reusable straws made of high-grade, rounded stainless steel that last you a lifetime and help you commit to a #zerowaste lifestyle and a percentage of the proceeds from every SALE will go for ocean conservation activities.
You can do your bit by visiting this link – Say No to Plastic Straws and Save the Oceans and ordering some reusable straws .
I am doing my bit by offering my readers a 10% discount on their order of reusable straws by using the coupon code ‘ PREETICHAUHAN ‘ when they visit the link and make a purchase.
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