Previously, a number of big names including Starbucks, Hundreds of Rum, Bon Appétit, Marriott, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines announced that they will phase out plastic straws in the next few years. Many other companies and institutions also I have followed suit.
For example, not long ago, Seattle became the first large city in the United States to ban plastic straws. Not only the municipal councils in major cities such as Washington, DC, and New York joined the ranks, promoting legislation related to the ban, including Miami Beach and Malibu. The smaller areas also acted to implement plastic straw bans in some areas.
Although pipette pollution accounts for only a small part of all plastic pollution, it is a landmark for reshaping the concept of ecological environment. For most consumers, it is a capability to stop using plastic straws. Not only can it be done, but it can also enhance one's self-confidence and sense of honor. Having said that, how do you put a ban on it? How much impact will it have?
Who is advocating the ban on plastic straws?
Since 2008, Seattle has tried to ban the use of plastic straws. At the time, the city passed a decree requiring disposable food and beverage utensils to be recyclable or compostable; in 2010, Seattle perfected the decree until July of this year. Finally issued a ban on plastic straws and utensils.
'These results are rooted in the joint efforts of all, and are the result of many communities and organizations appealing to the city government.' Sego Jackson, a strategic consultant for the Seattle Public Utilities Department, said he is responsible for curbing waste and product management.
But how to really implement the ban, you need to do more from the top down. Bon Appétit Management is a large food service provider, setting up more than 1,000 small restaurants on campus, museums and factories. They announced that they would phase out plastic straws as early as May last year.
According to Maisie Ganzler, head of brand strategy at Bon Appétit Management, the resolution was largely driven by the strong push of CEO Fedele Bauccio.
'I saw some statistics before I realized how much harm a convenience product like a straw can bring. So my subconscious reaction is that we have to make a change. ' Bauccio said at a news conference.
After just a few months of discussion and preparation, the company issued the above resolution. It is expected to be implemented in more than a year.
In addition to the above-mentioned agencies that implement the plastic ban, environmental protection organizations have also joined in to promote the implementation of the plastic straw ban, the Lonely Whale organization created by actor Adrian Grenier. It is one of them. The organization does not focus on attracting people with potential environmental awareness, but instead focuses on commercial organizations and tries to convince them to conduct business transactions in a more environmentally friendly way.
'I think that if it can be market-oriented, then the road to environmental protection will be more effective and more solid.' Dune Ives, executive director of the organization, said, 'At the same time, policies must keep up with the rhythm, issue laws and regulations for the market, and protect Escort. '
How hard is it to find alternatives?
As early as the plastic straw ban was put on the agenda 10 years ago, Seattle government officials began exploring viable alternatives. However, like the alternatives to other disposable products, it was a long and difficult process.
'Looking for a spoon that won't melt in hot soup is a big challenge,' Jackson said.
Coincidentally, Bon Appétit Management encountered unexpected troubles when looking for effective alternatives. According to Ganzler, they are not only looking for durable alternatives, but also ensuring that biodegradable plastics must be used.
'In addition, we have to make sure that the straw replacement can be broken down in the drainage system, otherwise the drainage pipe is likely to have a big problem.' Ganzler added.
She went on to say that paper straws would be the most widely used alternative, but Bon Appétit was considering the feasibility of making straws from grain, bamboo or hay.
'The biggest trouble is finding a sustainable alternative.' Alaska Airlines, head of the sustainability department, Jacqueline Drumheller, said, 'Alaska Airlines will no longer provide plastic mixing straws in hot drinks such as coffee and black tea, fruit. The fork will also be made of non-plastic material. Even so, we are still prepared to have some durable straws on the flight.'
Aardvark Straws is one of the largest paper straw manufacturers in the United States and is part of the Precision Products Group. The company was founded in 2007, benefiting in part from environmentally friendly non-plastic products in zoos and aquariums. Demand. But as David Rhodes, the company's global head of operations, told National Geographic, they are struggling to find sustainable incremental orders.
Bon Appétit Management has service points in 33 states in the United States. In Ganzler's view, paper-based straws can be conveniently used in areas where the food and beverage industry is concentrated, and the sparsely populated areas require much more effort.
Many people still need to use plastic straws. What should I do in this case?
Since the Seattle plastic straw ban was launched this month, the voices of different opinions from people with disabilities have been heard. They worry that patients who really need a straw will not be able to get it. Similar resistance has also affected the ban on other places.
'I agree with the current plan. This is the result we have been pursuing, but what is certain is that we still have a long way to go, such as looking for alternatives to plastic straws. We must find better choices, otherwise it would be like Plastic straws, like this case, cannot completely escape the 'dominance' of plastic straws. ' ——Dominick Evans (@dominickevans), July 18, 2018
According to some protectors of the disabled, there is currently no efficient alternative to plastic straws, some synthetic paper straws contain organic materials, which may trigger an allergic reaction. For those with swallowing and chewing disorders Paper straws are much more difficult to use than plastic straws. In addition, reusable straws made of metal or glass are also very dangerous for some patients.
Jackson said: 'I think there is some misunderstanding about disabling plastic straws. ' Seattle still allows merchants or service points to provide a certain number of plastic straws, as long as customers ask for it, they can get a straw.
The Bon Appétit management company also intends to use this approach, but Alaska Airlines said it will provide paper straws.
What is the cost of using a plastic straw replacement?
According to an article published last month on the official website of National Geographic, according to Aardvark, the cost of paper straws is about 6 cents higher than plastic straws.
But Bon Appétit Management declined to disclose the cost of switching to a paper straw.
'I think that the current price of straws is at a peak, which is a great time to change the structure of the product.' Ganzler said.
In Seattle, tickets will only be issued for transactions involving polystyrene containers, and according to Jackson, next year's penalties will be in education and beyond the scope of business. He is well aware that all industries are holding plastic straw bans. Different opinions, so it is emphasized that customers can still obtain plastic straws from merchants when needed, and merchants will not purchase paper straws in large quantities because of the ban.
Seattle's waste-handling equipment has the ability to handle compostable plastics, which is an advantage that many large cities do not have. It can be seen that the processing equipment for upgrading plastic straw substitutes is also a small expense, which is the intention to issue a ban. The factors that the city must measure.
What else can we do?
What are the benefits of implementing a plastic pipe ban? This question depends entirely on who you are asking. Some people think that this is an important step on the right path, while others believe that this is only human dependence on plastics. The shameful act, the confidence of self-confidence will inevitably cover up the fact that disposable plastic products are popular.
Most recent plastic pipe bans have appeared in more aggressive cities and in trying to build sustainable eco-friendly companies. According to Ives, 'Lonely Whales' prefer to reach companies that want to join the environmental alliance, instead of taking time It’s costly to fight against a hostile company.
'Our philosophy is to work with companies that are ready to step into environmental protection,' she said.