Should Plastic Straws Be Banned?

    When you think of plastic straws, you probably imagine thick, frosty milkshakes. Or maybe you think of ice-cold sodas and delicious smoothies. Straws make drinking easier and neater. And who doesn’t love that loud slurp at the end of a tasty drink?

    But did you know that Americans use half a billion plastic straws every day? That’s enough to wrap around the globe two-and-a-half times. 

    And experts say that all those skinny plastic straws are harming animals around the world.

    When you think of plastic straws, you might picture thick, frosty milkshakes. Or maybe you think of cold sodas and tasty smoothies. Straws make drinking easier and neater. And who doesn’t love that slurp at the end of a drink?

    But did you know that Americans use half a billion plastic straws every day? That’s enough to wrap around the globe two-and-a-half times. 

    And experts say those straws harm animals.

    When you think of plastic straws, you probably imagine frosty milkshakes, ice-cold sodas, and delicious smoothies. Straws make drinking neater and more convenient—and who doesn’t love that noisy slurp at the end of a refreshing beverage?

    But did you know that Americans use half a billion plastic straws every day? That’s enough to wrap around the planet two-and-a-half times. 

    And experts say that all those skinny plastic straws are harming animals around the world.

    Americans throw out 12 million pounds of plastic straws each year. But a single straw weighs very little. Because they’re so light, many straws blow out of trash cans and dumps. The wind carries them to rivers and oceans. The straws wash up on beaches and pollute parks.

    Birds, fish, and other animals can mistake straws for food or swallow them by accident. Straws have been found stuck in a sea turtle’s nose and wedged in the stomachs of dead birds and dolphins. 

    Some experts say that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic trash. 

    The problem is so serious that many people want to ban plastic straws. Seattle, Washington, is one of several cities that have taken that step. Starting in July, restaurants there will no longer be allowed to hand out plastic straws.

    Each year, people in the U.S. throw out 12 million pounds of plastic straws. But a single straw does not weigh much. Because straws are very light, they blow out of trash cans and dumps. The wind carries them to rivers and oceans. The straws wash up on beaches. They pollute parks.

    irds, fish, and other animals can eat straws by mistake. This hurts them. Straws have been found in the noses of sea turtles. They’ve been found in the stomachs of dead birds and dolphins. 

    Some experts say that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other plastic trash. 

    That’s why many people want to ban plastic straws. Some cities have done this. Seattle, Washington, is one of them. Soon restaurants there will have to stop handing out plastic straws.

    Americans discard 12 million pounds of plastic straws annually. But a single straw weighs very little. Because they’re so lightweight, many straws blow out of garbage cans and landfills. The wind carries them to rivers and oceans. The straws wash up on beaches and pollute parks.

    Birds, fish, and other animals can eat straws accidentally. Straws have been found stuck in the noses of sea turtles and wedged in the stomachs of dead birds and dolphins. 

    Some experts say that more than 1 million sea animals are killed each year by straws and other types of plastic refuse. 

    The problem is so serious that many people want to outlaw plastic straws. Seattle, Washington, is one of several cities that have taken that step. Starting in July, restaurants there will no longer be allowed to distribute plastic straws.

    But not everyone wants to ban plastic straws completely. For some people, straws aren’t just for fun. 

    Millions of people use straws to get the liquids they need to survive. Many people have health issues that make it hard to drink straight from a cup. Other people are very old and cannot sip safely without a straw.

    Some people have tooth problems that make it painful to drink cold liquids. When they sip through a straw, it keeps the icy drinks away from their teeth. 

    And of course, it’s hard to drink thick, frothy beverages, like Frappuccinos, without a straw. Nobody looks good with a chocolate mustache or a blob of whipped cream on their nose. 

    People who want to ban straws say that not all straws would be outlawed—just plastic ones that get used only once. People could still buy reusable straws. These are made of materials like glass or bamboo.

    And what about this: a straw made of ice. You make them in special molds in your freezer. They chill your drink as you sip, and then disappear completely. 

    Drinkers get to enjoy their slurp—and animals stay safe. 

    What a cool idea. •

    But not all people want to ban plastic straws completely. Some people need straws. 

    Millions of people use straws to get the liquids they need to survive. Some have health issues that make it hard to drink straight from a cup. Others are very old and can’t sip safely without a straw.

    For some people, cold drinks cause tooth pain. Using a straw can help. The straw keeps the drink away from their teeth. 

    And it’s hard to drink thick, foamy drinks, like milkshakes, without a straw. You end up with a chocolate mustache. Or you might get a blob of whipped cream on your nose. 

    People who want to ban straws say that not all straws would be outlawed. They just want to ban plastic ones that get used only once. People could still buy reusable straws. These are made of glass or bamboo.

    Or try this: straws made of ice. You make them in molds in your freezer. They chill your drink as you sip. Then they melt. 

    You get to enjoy your slurp—and animals stay safe. 

    What a cool idea. •

    However, not everyone wants to ban plastic straws completely. That’s because for some people, straws aren’t just about convenience. 

    Millions of people use straws to get the liquids they need to survive. Many people have health issues that make it difficult to drink directly from a cup. Others are very old and cannot sip safely without a straw.

    Some people have dental problems that make it painful to drink cold liquids. Sipping through a straw prevents the icy drinks from touching their sensitive teeth. 

    And of course, it’s difficult to drink thick, frothy beverages, like Frappuccinos, without a straw. Nobody looks attractive with a chocolate mustache or a blob of whipped cream on their nose. 

    People who support banning straws point out that not all straws would be outlawed—only the disposable plastic ones. People could still purchase reusable straws made of materials like glass or bamboo.

    And consider this solution: straws made of ice. You make them in special molds in your freezer. They chill your beverage as you sip, and then they disappear completely. 

    Drinkers get to enjoy their slurp—and animals stay safe. 

    What a cool idea. •