Metal Straws Aren't Going to Save the Turtles
By Ava Bortell
Starting in 2015, the video of a turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose went viral. Overnight it
became the poster child for the anti-straw movement. Yes, I’m sure we’ve all seen the photo by now.
Starting in 2015, the video of a turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose went viral. Overnight it
became the poster child for the anti-straw movement. Yes, I’m sure we’ve all seen the photo by now.
The outrage sparked by this photo is justified for the inhumane suffering the turtle endured, but what people fail to recognize is that over one million marine animals die every year due to plastic debris in the ocean, and it isn’t only straws causing this. Right now, billions of tons of plastic can be found covering nearly 40% of the oceans surface, and it is predicted that the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish by 2050.
In fact, if we omit fishing equipment--the most common item in the ocean garbage patches-- from the list, straws are only the seventh biggest pollutants in the ocean and make up 7.5% of plastic litter in the United States.
Sadly, we’ve all known for quite some time that single use plastics are bad, but it is far harder to start a movement that says “let’s collectively stop eating seafood and fishing with plastic gear” rather than use a catchy slogan like “the last straw” or “#StopSucking.” More or less, the plastic straw indictment came about because straws are the most convenient item to get rid of rather than instituting big policy changes. No, I’m not saying the plastic straw movement is bad, but the attention it has gained shifts the focus away from other large pollutants in the ocean, and, further, it shifts the focus away from large corporations who cause this pollution.
Just to name a few, big corporations like Coca-cola, Pepsi, and Nestle are some of the largest perpetrators. Coca-Cola alone uses 3 million tons--or 6 billion pounds--of plastic packaging annually and is the top plastic producer in numerous countries.
More important than the anti-straw movement is large corporation accountability. Recently to incentivize companies to reduce plastic production, a new thread has begun on social media that anyone can participate in. Whenever you see plastic where it doesn’t belong, pick it up and take a picture, tagging the company while using #IsThisYours.
As for limiting the amount of plastic you use as an average citizen, there are a few alternatives you can use. For one, try swapping plastic bottles for glass or metal ones. When going to the grocery store, try bringing your own reusable bag. And, of course, don't forget to ban plastic straws.
What are some other practical solutions to limit plastic use? Do you think using #ThisIsYours could truly work? Do you think the plastic straw epidemic is blown out of proportion?
Comments
Alice
Urvi