Anyone who knows me knows that straws are one of my absolute pet hates. I think they are so totally useless and unnecessary and should really be banned to help combat plastic pollution.
It is said that and estimated 500 million straws are used every day in the US alone! That is enough straws to circle the globe 2 and a half times! Every day!!!
However, that is not always possible and sometimes we have to make do with what we've got. While I think straws should be banned, I think that ultimately, the biggest this that needs to change is the social trends surrounding straws and more generally, take away drinks. Here in Sydney, we have a very strong culture of take away drinks and these are typically taken with straws no matter what the drink is or if it actually requires one. Even at sit down restaurants, drinks are often served with straws. I would really like to see cafe and bar owners taking the initiative to place straws below the counter and offer them only to people who ask for them. I believe that this is the catalyst we need to start changing the social norm and to prove to people that they really don't need a straw with a lemonade.
It is said that and estimated 500 million straws are used every day in the US alone! That is enough straws to circle the globe 2 and a half times! Every day!!!
However, that is not always possible and sometimes we have to make do with what we've got. While I think straws should be banned, I think that ultimately, the biggest this that needs to change is the social trends surrounding straws and more generally, take away drinks. Here in Sydney, we have a very strong culture of take away drinks and these are typically taken with straws no matter what the drink is or if it actually requires one. Even at sit down restaurants, drinks are often served with straws. I would really like to see cafe and bar owners taking the initiative to place straws below the counter and offer them only to people who ask for them. I believe that this is the catalyst we need to start changing the social norm and to prove to people that they really don't need a straw with a lemonade.