Turns Out Your Soggy Paper Straw Wasn’t Saving The Planet After All

[Syne]

Turns Out Your Soggy Paper Straw Wasn’t Saving The Planet After All

A new study found that plastic straws have the lowest negative environmental impact in most of the categories — including human toxicity.

Despite being told for the last decade that paper straws are safer and more “eco-friendly” than their plastic counterparts, a new study shows that the cardboard replacement may actually be one of the worst options.

A team of researchers from South Korea recently tested four different types of straws, including paper, plastic, biodegradable plastic, and sugarcane-based (bio-based polyethylene), across 16 categories. The study found that the plastic straws had the lowest negative environmental impact in 10 of the categories — including greenhouse gas emissions and human toxicity.

Paper straws, on the other hand, scored more than six times higher than their plastic rival on the study’s measure of carcinogenic impact, according to the study by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The straws were also found to have more than two times the impact on environmental acidity, which means they might be contributing to pollution that makes soil and water more acidic, potentially harming plants, animals, and ecosystems.
...

[confused2]

Breaking up a report..

To further tackle beach litter [10% of which is plastic straws] ...

There is an implicit assumption that there is a problem that needs to be solved when, for most people, it isn't a even a problem.

Nobody wants to carry a filthy old cup round with them when they could have a nice clean plastic cup every time and chuck it in a bin when they've finished with it.

So what are these litter pickers really up to?

we need governments ... to speed up progress towards a circular economy using every policy tool available, from charges and market restrictions to extended producer responsibility schemes.

They're Communists. Of course they are. They use the word 'responsibility' - is that even a real word? Today plastic straws, tomorrow free healthcare.

If you live near the sea you should take a bag of trash to the beach, an old washing machine as well .. dump it in front of the litter pickers and show them the finger. Some things are just too important to ignore.

For more commie nonsense see "Where are we on ocean plastics?"
https://wcl.org.uk/where-are-we-on-ocean-plastics.asp

[Zinjanthropos]

I was ok with plastic straws until the day I watched a viral video of a guy removing one from an Olive Ridley sea turtle’s nostril. Apparently swallowing plastic straws can block digestive tracts, puncture internal organs, or cause fatal starvation also. Microplastics aside, I’d rather save an ocean dweller.

[Syne]

Breaking up a report..

To further tackle beach litter [10% of which is plastic straws] ...

"...the amount of plastic found on beaches increasing by almost 10% between 2023 and 2024." does not mean 10% of total liter.
And that's "all top five items found on beaches... made of plastic," not just straws.

Literacy is amazing!

...and chuck it in a bin when they've finished with it.

If that happened, it would solve the problem right there.

They use the word 'responsibility' - is that even a real word?

See above.

[confused2]

The article in the OP was from the Daily Wire .. although respected by many I tend to treat the DW as a purveyor of fake news created to score political points - I wouldn't expect Syne to understand why anyone might have that opinion.

As Z. points out .. the plastic straw thing is about turtles, penguins and anything else that really shouldn't be coming into contact with plastic straws. If children become dangerous when given a toy, regardless of how harmless that toy might appear, then a responsible adult should ensure children don't have access to that toy.

Fact checkers have said that some stories shared by the Daily Wire are unverified, and that the Daily Wire sometimes misstates facts to advance a partisan view.[14][15] It has published climate change denial,[16][17] and academics have described its coverage of COVID-19 as "junk health news".[18][19] Multiple scientific studies have described it as a fake news website.

[Syne]

The article in the OP was from the Daily Wire .. although respected by many I tend to treat the DW as a purveyor of fake news created to score political points - I wouldn't expect Syne to understand why anyone might have that opinion.

Genetic fallacies are often used when people can't refute, or simply don't like, the content on its own merit.
You can dislike a source all you like. Too bad you couldn't refute it.

As Z. points out .. the plastic straw thing is about turtles, penguins and anything else that really shouldn't be coming into contact with plastic straws. If children become dangerous when given a toy, regardless of how harmless that toy might appear, then a responsible adult should ensure children don't have access to that toy.

Again, responsibility to "chuck it in a bin," with significant littering penalties. Nanny-state mandating things for everyone just because some aren't responsible... well, I guess some people don't mind being treated as children.

[confused2]

just because some aren't responsible...

That's why I questioned whether the word 'responsibility' meant anything to people like you and you didn't understand why - and (of course) you still don't.

[Syne]

just because some aren't responsible...

That's why I questioned whether the word 'responsibility' meant anything to people like you and you didn't understand why - and (of course) you still don't.

Yes, and I answered that with "significant littering penalties." Penalties are how you incentivize people to be more responsible and law-abiding. Nanny-statism, a term originating in Britain, just throws up its hands and assumes no one can be personally responsible, so you just remove ever more freedom... until you're an authoritarian state.

Apparently some people like that idea. 9_9

[confused2]

"significant littering penalties."
The Plastic Drinking Straw Force (PDSF) funded by ..? You're either joking or insane .. are you joking?

[Syne]

"significant littering penalties."
The Plastic Drinking Straw Force (PDSF) funded by ..? You're either joking or insane .. are you joking?

Wait, is littering not already a crime in the UK? @_@
You know, since you seem clueless about how, I guess, laws in general are enforced.

Do you have the Drunk Lad in Public Force and the Old Codger Forgot his Pants Force? LOL!