From The Conversation (28/2/25)…
Yes, paper straws suck. Rather than bring back plastic ones, let’s avoid single-use items
When US President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to return to plastic straws, claiming the paper version is ineffective and “disgustingly dissolves in your mouth”, he was widely criticised for setting back efforts to reduce plastic pollution. But many alternatives designed to help phase out single-use plastics don’t really solve the problem at all.
It’s not unusual to see plastic bans challenged or overturned. However, a government ban on the substitute is altogether new.
It’s true paper straws can disintegrate and become soggy before we finish a drink. Problems with finding viable substitutes to single-use plastics is one of the many challenges involved in phasing them out.
Sometimes, swapping one single-use item for another really is more trouble than it’s worth. A better approach would be to change our society’s single-use and disposal mindset.
The problem with plastic
Plastic pollution is an urgent problem for the environment and human health. Microplastics are everywhere, from Antarctica to our brains.
Plastic is made from fossil fuels, and so contributes to global warming. What’s more, plastic production is forecast to triple by 2050.
But recycling is difficult. Less than 10% of the world’s plastic has been recycled.
So we need to reduce our use of plastic in the first place, rather than trying to clean it up afterwards….