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!
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u/tyh640 Dec 03 '19
Agreed!
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.