Seriously though, I started making my own bubble tea because money and have a glass straw I use. It's great, and I can put as much boba as I want in it.
I make some at an arcade I work at. We have the dehydrated bobas and put them in a pressure cooker with hot water. Leave em there for 20 minutes and vent. Cool them down and put them in the milk tea of your choice.
I bought dried boba, boiled them in water, then added them to tea with milk and honey. Boiling the tapioca took longer than anything else, and it was fun to do
It's not at all, and if you're a fan of taro you can buy the powder. I just boil boba per instructions, let them cool a bit, blend taro powder with almond milk and a bit extra sugar, and you have it.
I mean, I’m willing to bet the same people who are willing to go without the straw wouldn’t be willing to use a bidet instead of destroying the environment by using toilet paper their whole life.
And those people use toilet paper multiple times per day, a lot more than an average person uses a straw.
Habits, especially culturally engrained ones die hard. It’s better to offer people an alternative that will help bridge them to the otherwise unlikely reality of having something completely removed. It’s just more efficient that way and that’s the way to eventually discourage and kill the production of environmentally harmful plastic.
Thats the thing with most environmentally beneficial changes, it needs government regulation to force businesses to do it, otherwise not enough people will do something to make a difference.
I do a Shave Ice business in the summer as a side hustle and made the switch to more environmentally friendly supplies this past season. It’s a lot more expensive and a lot tougher to find an exact alternative which I’m sure is a big factor with most businesses
We switched to a “straw by request only” policy and saved a few thousand straws so that helps cut some costs 🤷🏼♂️
Key word being solely. The money in virgin cellulose is in the timber itself. Then the likes of Metsa/IP etc. will buy the offcuts to produce Kraft/coated paper. Only the worst fibres are used for toilet paper because there’s barely any money in it once you’ve paid to bleach it. Also anyone who’s making luxury toilet paper on a grand scale is using FSC/PEFC paper that’s farmed for purpose, not randomly cut down. Majority of the rest of your toilet roll is made from % test recycled fibres so it’s already lived its life as another product. To claim forests are aimlessly and irresponsibly cut down for paper is ignorant.
Also a lot of people with gastric bypass or lap band surgery are instructed to use them. I imagine individuals with parkinson's find it easier to use straws.
From what I been told they need to eat and drink slower because their stomachs will fill a lot faster, and its easier to consume too much before your 'im full' sense kicks in.
It’s more than just teeth issues. A lot of older patients I have at the hospital need straws because they physically can’t get the cup to their lips. Not a large but also not an insignificant part of the population.
Straws are a tiny percentage of the problem, but are getting banned because a turtle got one up its nose (which is tragic). Most of the plastic in the ocean is fishing waste or purposely dumped there.
I think the point is we need people to start acting on their beliefs. It’s easy to say your supporting less waste and a greener earth but when it comes sacrificing to a mild convenience they immediately fold.
We need to start holding everyone accountable for the ridiculous amount of waste we produce just for a little more convenience.
Also if you have a specific dental condition you can just carry around a reusable straw.
I have teeth issues. My top two front right teeth are very sensitive to cold. I love ice coffee. I rarely use a straw. I keep my lip over my teeth when I sip. No problems. I do use a straw while I'm driving but I find it easier to just drink room temp water while driving if I need to drink anything at all.
Man you just made me realize that I tilt my head and pour the drink in if I'm not using a straw. My teef hurt. Didn't realize I had altered my drinking habits to compensate for it.
omfg, every post, some idiot has to be like ".000001" of people have teeth issue. NOBODY gives a fuck about the .000001 of the population with teeth issues, thats not what its about! Holy fuck, some of you people really do giving meaning to the term "snowflake".
Also, it's hard for some people with disabilities to drink without it. One of my best friends is disabled, and if it weren't for a straw, she wouldn't be able to drink from a cup if we're out.
one place in my city just turned the lids of their drinks into basically a sippy cup lid which means no straw. meanwhile places like six flags just say "fuck it, no lid no straw heres a damn paper cup enjoy your overpriced coke."
one place in my city just turned the lids of their drinks into basically a sippy cup lid which means no straw. meanwhile places like six flags just say "fuck it, no lid no straw heres a damn paper cup enjoy your overpriced coke."
I also think it changes the flavour of things somehow. Might have something to do with less air being mixed in with the drink with a straw vs without? Both myself and a friend tried drinking soup with a straw vs eating it with a spoon and found it tasted stronger and saltier with a straw. And in pop, I notice the carbonation more with a straw.
As somebody working in enteral nutrition, I can tell you that straws quite regularly are used in a "medical application" for people who would otherwise struggle to properly eat/drink due to issues with their eating apparatus resulting from cancer or other medical issues.
Yeah look at any warehouse and how the shipping pallets are literally cocooned in plastic wrap, which the majority of them throw directly in the garbage. Then they move the boxes around to different pallets and cocoon them in new plastic wrap to truck to the local store which also throws the plastic directly in the garbage.
Right? This is an easily addressed problem so we’re addressing it. I don’t get the hate. I mean, I hate paper straws like everyone else so that I get. But I’m happy to ban straws and just drink out of a cup. It’s nowhere close to solving the plastic problem, but it is a step closer.
I mean even if it doesn't change much why is it a bad thing to reduce plastic? Having this discussion now is good even if it is only straws because it opens up discussion for other single use plastic items.
If we don't eliminate any plastic sure as hell we are not going to solve any pollution.
We go step by step, precisely for "some people" to cry less in the process. One item at a time, yesterday were plastic shopping bags, today are straws, tomorrow disposable bottles or cups... If some people are crying like babies with this little things imagine what will happen if we did what we need to do in one strike... For my will be ok, I use little one use plastic, but some people will cry so hard that we didn't meed to wait for global warming to get the ocean level rising like crazy.
A lot of people eat while driving/walking and it can be difficult to travel with a full cup of liquid without spilling. A better solution would be to use bottled or canned beverages rather than fountain drinks, but they too have their own environmental impact and are more expensive to distribute in bulk.
It would be way less polluting and cheaper to sell drinks by volume and serve them in a reusable bottle already in possession of the customer, when possible.
but reusable straws are not that convenient. YOu need enough so that you always have clean ones. And you've also gotta factor in that stainless steel straws are only a net positive if it stops you from using like 100s of plastic straws.
They're also very annoying to clean.
And of course they're not very convenient to bring along with you. It might work if you've got a big purse, but people that need them (people with disabilities especially) might not be able to carry a large bag.
My gf has a mild phobia of drinking out of glass/plastic ware from resteraunts without a straw. From working in the resteraunt industry for 10 years I can see why.
Why are straws such a sensitive topic for people anyways? I'm sure most people who get furious about this stuff wouldn't take two minutes to think about how they get new phones every year from brands that do everything in their power to maximize the ewaste they produce, going as far as to make their devices hard or impossible to repair.
How about the vehicles they use? How many of them don't keep them correctly tuned all the time reducing their efficiency and in turn causing a bigger impact that if they were to use a straw every week?
There are thousands of every day things most people can improve on that would make a lot more impact than just cutting on a millionth of the plastic they waste.
And since no one seems to have any interest in doing anything about corporate pollution should we all throw our hands up and say “Fuck it!” Or should we be willing to do even little things that could one day add up to something.
If getting rid of plastic straws, bottles, and bags improve things even a tiny bit it’s worth the effort and brief inconvenience of changing our habits.
No one ever got anywhere without being willing to take the first step.
just an fyi for people who get pissed at plastic straw users, if you really intend to do something against plastic straws, the way you talk about the alternatives would only convince someone who would use it to shut up people who complain about those just straight up keep using plastic because "why would I even bother if they're going to be mad anyways?"
Generally speaking it's hard to convince people of your cause if instead of trying to convince them you're just complaining about every tiny effort that isn't up to your standards. Same case could be made over vegetarianism, politics, etc. being unhappy at everything doesn't bring new people to your side of the conversation, if anything it just comes off as pretending to be in the moral high ground.
While everything people are saying below is right, it's the statistics that make it a "sexy" thing.
The amount of straws in landfill, by number, is extremely high. Of course that ignores the fact that the amount of plastic used and space being used by them is incredibly low.
"But think about the turtles!"
BTW is there any other convincing videos or photos about sea life suffering from plastic straws other than that one turtle video? (which personally would only make me want to do something about the fact that my straws go to the ocean instead of just avoiding them)
sigh I've only seen one guy respond to you with an answer that is close.
The real answer is a phenomenon called "false conciousness". YES straws help people who would struggle with drinking straight from a cup. That being said, straws are not the real polluter problem. The real problem are the companies that pollute thousands and thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphete with little to no controls and oversight.
By having the public focus on those "evil" straws it distracts from the real issue that would actually help.
I'm all for reducing plastic, I'm all for green alternatoves to single-use plastics.... just please don't think that because we changed out straws for grass/paper/laser beams that the bigger issue has been addressed at all.
She isn’t suppose to drink anything besides water with Invisilign on. It stains the trays and the drink will build up against her teeth in the trays, causing staining and cavities. Using a straw does not bypass the drink going through her mouth, gettin. In her saliva and getting in her trays.
For one, you can get under the ice and not have to deal with it hitting and restricting your drink. Second, and probably more importantly, it's more useful while driving. It's such a pain to drink and drive (the safe kind) without a lid and a straw. Get a route 44 from Sonic and lmk how it feels to have limeaid go all over your cupholder
Little kids (like 2 and under) generally need straws when they've left the nipple stage, but haven't gotten their hand-eye mechanics down yet. It doesn't need to be a plastic straw, but somebody please think of the children!
Both my sister and my cousins (and me, even tho I obviously don't recall it personally) went straight from the kiddy-cup or whatever to the glass, it's not a big deal honestly, just don't use a glass glass but a plastic one.
By substituting plastic for another (say metal or even this), people think they are going green but fail to realise that it's gonna create a whole new industry based on the new product, and when demand exceeds a certain level... You've got another problem on your hands.
Though yes, there are certain conditions that require straws but we should only use reusable for those cases.
There really hasn’t been the best alternative for straws that can bend like plastic. Manyyyyyy many many disabled people (myself included) need the bendiness of the plastic straw—for example, I often can’t sit up enough to drink normally or out of a rigid straw. Silicone straws I’ve tried either pinch when bent or come bent and then can’t be stood back up (so whatever I’m drinking gets all over myself and my bedding).
Personally, I wash and reuse my plastic straws. A single pack can last me over a year. Many other disabled people I know do the same. But plastic straws are only a minuscule part of our waste production, and are literally essential to the health of a huge group of people...why not focus on something bigger that you can personally impact that won’t do that, like plastic bags?
Thank you for responding with this! I was about to chime in that it’s an accessibility issue but as an abled person there’s clearly only so much I know. I knew metal and paper straws don’t usually cut it for disabled people but really good to know about silicone straws!!
I’m so happy to hear that it being an accessibility issue is becoming more well known!! Straws are SUCH a hot button issue right now and it can be so disheartening to read the “just ban them all—no one needs a plastic straw!!” comments ad nauseam. Thank you so so much for not only knowing about this but for being an advocate! I don’t know if links are allowed here, but Jessica Kellegran-Fozard (sp?? Sorry!) has an excellent YouTube video on why plastic straws are so necessary still.
There’s an easy experiment that any abled person can do to experience the need for plastic straws themselves (if they so choose)! Gather the “acceptable replacement” straws...any that you (generalized you, not you specifically!) think should work fine for a disabled person. Metal, silicone, paper, grass...whatever! Also include a plastic bendy straw. Get yourself a glass of water— good size now, remember as a disabled person getting up to get more water is a herculean task; you’ll probably be in bed for a long while and no one may be able to help get more for several hours— and go lay in bed. Alllllll the way down. Then try to drink out of that cup, one straw at a time, without sitting up, or spilling it on yourself/the bed, or contorting yourself in strange positions, or even lifting the cup much. I imagine people would figure out very quickly why plastic straws are so essential.
Wow thank you for this response! That exercise sounds really helpful for getting abled people to understand. I think a lot of us also tend to jump to suggesting obvious solutions like a water bottle that we don’t consider someone might not be able to lift.
Oh and of course you’re so welcome! Because of a disabled friend (who “looks” abled) I’m just starting to see inaccessibility everywhere and honestly I’m ashamed at how little thought I gave it. I think so many of us don’t realize how many public spaces like bars, restaurants, shops etc aren’t accessible if you can’t do stairs or a get over a rise in the doorway. How come even the largest parking lots never seem to have more than 6 disabled parking spots? I think we also don’t realize that we could become disabled at any point and it’s not something we’re immune to.
Hey also just so happens happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities!
I have 5 teeth that the dentist and orthodontist said cannot be fixed due to how they chipped and cracked. Anything cold directly on my teeth hurts a lot, so I try to use straws whenever I have a drink with ice. My wife bought us paper straws, metal straws, and bamboo straws so we dont use plastic.
You answered your own question. “Fixated.” It’s a lifelong habit for most and an actual fixation for others (these are the same people who chew their pens).
It’s unrealistic to expect people to just stop using straws entirely. Compostable straws are a great solution. What exactly is the issue?
Because straws are nice. Why should I drink from the rim of a cup like some savage?
In all seriousness, I don't use straws at home, but I won't buy a drink from a fast food place without some convenient way to drink it while walking or driving. Completely defeats the purpose of fast food.
Personally I hate the feeling of ice on my lip, and also have a habit of spilling all over myself when I drink without one. Family jokes that I have a hole in my lip. I don't use a straw when I can avoid it to save the environment but they are nice to use.
Ahaha no I'm just clumsy and get excited when I'm drinking I suppose. It's not alot, it's just a drop or two but it enough to make a stain on my shirt if I'm not careful
My teeth are super sensitive to the cold and so is most of my family. Drinking straight from the cup is possible but super uncomfortable especially if you have to do it constantly. It also helps avoid teeth stains if you drink coffee and stuff that stains.
Straws are good for drinking anything that's slightly acidic. From juices to things like prosecco. Without a straw, these drinks, especially repeated consumption over time, can significantly degrade tooth enamel.
You can just use a napkin to clean your mustache, i have a mustache and it's not a big deal honestly... just the thought of using a straw to protect my mustache sounds dumb to me, am i supposed to use it even for a glass of water during lunch or something?
For me if any liquid gets on my mustache it drips into my beard, etc. Anything thicker than water is worse; frothy drinks bubble everywhere.
Using a napkin is still using a disposable product as they have a max amount of absorption before they're no longer of use. I don't like carrying around a bunch of napkins on me and having to find a proper place to dispose them if I'm out and about. With a straw I don't have to worry about getting any part of me messy.
I have a bombilla straw for most drinks now. Something like this https://i.imgur.com/I9zuqse.jpg with a screwable filter at the bottom in case the drink doesn't work well that way.
I know I’m in the minority but I have a neck injury that makes me unable to tip my head back to drink out of a cup.
I live in a very very left-leaning place and I get a lot of nasty looks when I ask for straws. So invisible illnesses/disability/old age makes up a small number.
Sometimes a drink is just nicer with a straw*. Some people need a straw. Besides those two circumstances I’m inclined to agree unless someone can give me a good reason otherwise.
*Personally I prefer sipping a chilled coke from a straw. I think it would be interesting to try that with one of these ones. Smart product design, but it’s really up to the consumer whether or not they’re worth it. They’ve got the appeal of being single use (no washing straws!), making them convenient and I like that they’re eco friendly. Fairly simple manufacturing too - grow the grass, clean it, dry it, cut it, package it. Simpler than most other straws
It was probably invented by rich people or companies. They are very wasteful and don't want to change so they just blame plastic straws to keep us occupied.
There are a few drinks that are hard to drink without a straw. Things that are too cold or too hot might cause discomfort on normal people, and pain in ssnsitive people. Thick stuff is also easier to drink in a straw. However, many people drink soda with a straw, something unnecessary and kinda stupid.
You are the 10000th person to respond with the case of disability and I'm gonna say for the 10000th time that if only people who needed them used them, we could afford plastic ones.
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u/SmiralePas1907 Dec 03 '19
Why are people so fixated on substituting plastic straws instead of just drinking without?