The Last Straw?

Most straws are made of plastic, the same material used for disposable bags, bottles, and cups. Plastic has many properties, or characteristics, that make it useful. It’s inexpensive, water-resistant, lightweight, and strong. 

“Plastic is a great material to use for items that we want to last for a long time,” says Kara Lavender Law. She’s an ocean scientist at the Sea Education Association in Massachusetts. “But single-use items like straws become trash in a matter of minutes.”

Plastic’s properties can also make it harmful to the environment, says Law. Unlike paper, plastic doesn’t completely biodegrade, or break down over time. Instead, the material crumbles into tiny fragments. Scientists think that these fragments will stay in the ocean for thousands of years.

An estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste washes into the ocean each year. Straws make up only a small fraction of that pollution. But they can still cause problems for sea life. Scientists have found plastic straws wedged in the nostrils of sea turtles. Seabirds have also mistaken bits of the straws for food. 

Most straws are made of plastic. It’s the same material as disposable bags, bottles, and cups. Plastic has many properties, or features. Some are useful. Plastic is cheap and won’t soak up water, for example. It’s also light but strong.

“Plastic is a great material to use for items that we want to last for a long time,” says Kara Lavender Law. She’s an ocean scientist. She works at the Sea Education Association in Massachusetts. “But single-use items like straws become trash in a matter of minutes.”

Plastic’s properties can also make it bad for the Earth, says Law. Unlike paper, plastic doesn’t totally biodegrade. That means it doesn’t break down over time. Instead, plastic crumbles into tiny pieces. Scientists think these pieces will last for thousands of years.

About 8 million tons of plastic wash into the ocean each year. Straws make up only a small bit of that waste. But they can still cause problems for sea life. Scientists have found plastic straws stuck in sea turtles’ noses. Seabirds also mistake bits of the straws for food. 

Campaigners like Milo hope that plastic straws will someday be a thing of the past. And they’re making some progress. Milo has convinced dozens of businesses in Vermont to stop giving out straws automatically. Around the world, about 1,800 restaurants, schools, and organizations are using fewer plastic straws—or none at all.

Lawmakers in Seattle, Washington, recently banned plastic straws. Starting this July, businesses in the city can offer only recyclable paper straws or reusable metal ones. 

But there’s no need to wait for new laws to start protecting the planet, says Milo. Kids and adults can help by simply ordering their drinks without a straw.

“If we can tackle something as daunting as straw waste, imagine what else we can achieve for the environment,” Milo says.

Milo and others want plastic straws to become a thing of the past. And they’re taking steps to make that happen. Milo has worked with dozens of Vermont businesses. They’ve vowed to stop regularly handing out straws. Similar changes are happening around the world. About 1,800 restaurants, schools, and groups are using fewer plastic straws. Some are using none at all.

Seattle, Washington, recently banned plastic straws. Businesses in the city can offer only recyclable paper straws or reusable metal ones. The change starts this July.

But there’s no need to wait for new laws. Kids and adults can start helping the planet now, says Milo. Simply order your drinks without a straw.

“If we can tackle something as daunting as straw waste, imagine what else we can achieve for the environment,” Milo says.