This month, President Donald Trump reversed an environmental initiative administered by former President Joe Biden that banned single-use plastics in federal buildings. As part of this reversal, plastic straws replaced the paper alternatives introduced under Biden’s presidency. While many people expressed similar dislike for paper straws and welcomed the reinstatement of plastic ones, most of the public have become engaged in a debate over plastic versus paper.
Drawbacks of Paper Straws
The recent decision to end the forced use of paper straws marks a step toward practical and science-based environmental policy. While the push to eliminate plastic straws initially seemed like a step in the right direction, the reality is that paper straws have proven to be an ineffective and potentially harmful alternative.
One of the primary concerns with paper straws is their durability. Many consumers find them frustratingly weak, often disintegrating before a drink is finished. This results in people using multiple straws per beverage, ultimately creating more waste. Additionally, according to The White House, paper straws are frequently wrapped in plastic, which undermines their supposed environmental benefits.
Health concerns further complicate the case for paper straws. According to BBC News, paper straws contain PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” which do not break down naturally and can leach into drinks. A study found that while PFAS were present in paper straws, no measurable amounts were detected in plastic ones. This raises questions about the true sustainability and safety of paper alternatives.
From an environmental standpoint, paper straws may not be as eco-friendly as advertised. Their production requires significant water and energy, often resulting in a larger carbon footprint than plastic straws. Moreover, cities and states across the country have implemented bans on paper straws based more on activism than scientific evidence.
By removing the mandate for paper straws, policymakers can refocus on more effective sustainability efforts. Rather than symbolic bans, investments in improved recycling systems and truly biodegradable alternatives would provide a more meaningful impact on reducing plastic waste.
Benefits of Paper Straws
Although the feeling of a paper straw melting onto your tongue might not be desirable, the replacement of plastic straws with paper alternatives poses significant long term environmental benefits. According to the American Chemical Society, paper straws can disintegrate within eight to 20 months, while plastic straws can take up to 200 years. Due to the time it takes for them to decompose, plastic straws end up filling oceans and landfills at rapid rates.
In fact, The World Wildlife Fund stated that marine animals often mistake ocean plastics for food, leading to an estimated 90% of all seabirds and sea turtle species having plastic in or around their bodies. At the current rate that plastic straws are being consumed, the ocean could hold a pound of plastic for every three pounds of fish.
Accordingly, many businesses have taken initiative to ban plastic straws from their corporations. For example, Starbucks announced that they would get rid of all plastic straws from their stores in 2018 and successfully did so in 2020. In California, a bill proposing the ban of plastic straws at dine-in restaurants is currently waiting to be passed by the governor.
Paper straws also benefit the environment because they are produced from renewable resources and do not rely on fossil fuels. Unlike plastic, paper straws come from trees in nature and do not require excessive processing with oil. Such environmentally-friendly aspects of paper straws support the argument that reinstating plastic straws is more detrimental than beneficial.
The debate over plastic or paper straws highlights the complexities of environmental sustainability. While paper straws were introduced as an eco-friendly alternative to paper straws, it does raise concerns about their durability and chemical content. On the other hand, plastic straws do contribute to significant pollution that harms marine life. Rather than focusing on the battle between paper and plastic, policymakers and businesses should invest in more sustainable solutions. Overall, a single ban or reinstatement does not solve the issue of plastic waste, and true progress will require comprehensive solutions that balance environmental responsibility with practicality.
