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Awaiting the last straw

Too small in size to be recycled, the only way to deal with the straw pollution is banning their use altogether.

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Parul Agrawal

In 2015, Christine Figgener, a PhD student and a sea turtle expert, discovered a male turtle with a four-inch plastic straw lodged in his nasal cavity. The straw reached down till his throat, partially blocking his airway and even the food column. What followed was the painful extraction of the straw with a stream of blood dripping down the turtle’s nostrils. As Figgener posted the disturbing video of straw extraction on her YouTube page, the agony of the olive ridley turtle, an endangered species, went viral. The turtle soon became the poster child of the global anti-plastic straw movement.

Each straw that has been disposed of after one-time use remains somewhere on this planet. A study published by Science Advances, a leading online journal, estimates that more than 8.3 billion plastic straws are polluting the world’s beaches. The reason why the emergency-like issue demands immediate attention and solutions. 

A beginning has been made

In July this year, Seattle became the first major US city to ban single-use plastic straws and utensils. This was followed by Starbucks, a global coffee-house chain, that announced a phase-out of plastic straws by 2020. Soon after, Ikea, Alaska Airlines, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Disney theme parks said that they are banning plastic straws to address environemental concerns in their own small way. The European Parliament has now voted to ban single-use plastics, including cutlery and straws by 2021. 

Plastic straws are considered an environmental hazard for two reasons: quantity and size. They’re too small to be recycled, and animals often mistake these for food.  Also, microplastics are carcinogenic in nature and stick around forever.

It is for this reason that the anti-plastic straw movement has found resonance globally and likewise in India. In June this year, Maharashtra became the first state in India to ban manufacturing, sale and use of all throw-away plastic items. Many restaurants and bars in Mumbai have pledged to eliminate plastic straws. 

Alternatives, a solution

Straw-manufacturing companies are now looking for biodegradable alternatives. Asavari Panchghai, who looks after the promotions at Bamboo India that makes and sells bamboo straws, says, “Though in a nascent stage, bamboo straws can be a great idea. We have also designed a stainless steel cleaner for bamboo straws, to ensure that these can be used multiple times.” A packet of bamboo straws come for Rs 125, which contains four reusable straws and a cleaner. The straws can be reused 70 to 80 times. 

Growing concerns about plastic menace are also propelling product innovation. A few other players experimenting with alternatives to plastic straws are Shunya Aternatives that create straws out of bio-degradable material, Pappco that makes paper straws, Eco-Products that manufactures compostable straws out of plant-based polylactic acid (PLA).   

All for the cause

Several restaurants and cafes have also committed to the cause of plastic straw ban. Some have replaced these with alternatives like bamboo and steel straws, some only offer a straw on request and ensure that these are made of biodegradable material. The costs have gone higher, but the decision is adding value to the brands. Abhay and Priya Singh Jagat, owners, Backpackers Café and Nomad Café in Chandigarh, say, “About five months ago, we decided to stop the use of plastic straws from all our restaurants. We implemented the change with the ‘Straw No More’ campaign. The initiative received a positive response from customers.”

There are now examples aplenty of eating joints contributing to the cause and exploring wiser options. “We replaced all our plastic packaging almost three years ago. Back then, it was not easy to find vendors who could offer an alternative to plastic,” says Vijay Mohit, manager, Pantry, a restaurant in Mumbai. A replacement was found in straws made of  sugarcane husk or bagasse and corn-starch, before finally switching to steel straws. These can be sanitised after every use to keep them hygienic. 

Independent campaigns led by ordinary citizens and advocacy groups are also canvassing the anti-plastic straw movement. In sync with the global movement, Port Blair-based not-for-profit ReefWatch that works in the field of marine conservation launched The Last Straw Campaign in 2017 to spread the word about plastic straws and the damage these inflict on environment.  “Saying no to a plastic straw does not impact an individual’s convenience drastically. For most, it is more of a habit than a need, unless it is about the use of straws in hospitals or by the differently abled. The anti-plastic straw movement is a way of involving more individuals in the global fight against plastic,” says Nayantara Jain, executive director, ReefWatch, who is spearheading the campaign.  

Taking over the oceans  

According to a World Economic Forum report, there is 150 million metric tons of plastic waste in the ocean. A landmark study of the ocean published in the Science journal in 2015 estimated that 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tonnes of plastic entered the ocean in 2010. The study included the plastic waste generated by the population within 50 km of the coast in 192 countries. If the trend continues, the scientists predict there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. 

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