Researchers found low concentrations of so-called forever chemicals in various “eco-friendly” straws, raising doubts about whether they’re an appropriate alternative.

  • @StarkillerX42@lemmy.ml
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    1392 years ago

    Disposable products are gonna have problems to keep them cheap. The solution to straws is non-dispossble straws, always was.

    Also this is still a silly topic, straws won’t save the planet.

    • @AttackBunny@lemmy.world
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      662 years ago

      Or stop using straws all together. Cups/lids can be made differently, so they are more like a sippy cup. You don’t NEED straws. Humans are totally capable of drinking directly from a cup, even without a special lid.

      • @Chiyo@lemmy.world
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        52 years ago

        Costco food court lids come to mind. They have a hole near the side where you can either use a straw or drink directly.

        • @AttackBunny@lemmy.world
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          12 years ago

          I’ve never seen those in person, but after an image search, yeah, exactly. I only used starbucks as an example because they are everywhere, and most people have seen them before.

      • @Breezy@lemmy.world
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        52 years ago

        My mother is up there in age, every time she drinks from a cup she ends up spilling it on herself. Im not saying she NEEDS straws, but it sure makes it easier on her.

        • @Mythril@lemm.ee
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          2 years ago

          I wouldn’t say that nobody ever should use straws, but there are definitely a lot of people who use straws even when it’s not necessary, like when they’re just sitting in a restaurant eating.

          I can agree that having a straw is easier for takeaway eaten on the go or in the car too, for example.

      • @phobiac@lemmy.world
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        42 years ago

        Straws are an accessibility need for some humans, not everyone is actually physically capable of drinking directly from a cup.

        • @AttackBunny@lemmy.world
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          112 years ago

          That’s fine, they can have their own non disposables for their own needs. We do NOT need to keep polluting the planet (yeah I know there are plenty of other ways we do it) with EVERYTHING being disposable.

          • DessertStorms
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            32 years ago

            Single use bendy straws were literally invented to help keep bedbound and other disabled people alive. There are also many reasons people can’t use different alternatives.

            You personally not using something, doesn’t mean others don’t, and to deny access to a literal lifeline for the sake of 0.003% of the plastics in the ocean (literally a drop in an ocean) because it makes you feel better and requires zero effort or sacrifice (from you), instead of actually acting to resolve the problem (like being anti-capitalist rather than just trying to apply band aids to its symptoms) is not only gross and ableist, but also a colossal counterproductive waste of time.

          • @phobiac@lemmy.world
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            -12 years ago

            I’m not in disagreement regarding moving away from disposable goods, especially plastic based ones. Just trying to point out the problem isn’t as cut and dry as you suggested. Straws are popular partly because they are more accessible so any solution that involves getting rid of them should take that need into account.

            • @AttackBunny@lemmy.world
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              52 years ago

              No, straw are popular because that’s what we have always been given, and people want convenience. Yeah, a small subset of people may need that assistance, but let’s not pretend that most people are being altruistic.

        • @AttackBunny@lemmy.world
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          -12 years ago

          So, your suggestion is to continue to kill the planet, because we might inconvenience a small subset of the population? I get it, I really do, it’s not fair for them, but those people can carry reusables if they need a straw.

          • DessertStorms
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            02 years ago

            So your suggestion is to let disabled people die because you can’t be bothered to fight the actual problem and just want a feel-good campaign to take part in and to feel superior to others with?
            At least be honest…

            • @AttackBunny@lemmy.world
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              02 years ago

              No, as I have said in MULTIPLE other comments. Straws exist in other flavors than plastic or disposable. Non disposables also come in a variety of shapes. People can use those. Where did I say they shouldn’t have something they need.

              Like I also said in another comment, people who “need” straws now all just died of dehydration before plastic/disposable straws existed?

        • @AttackBunny@lemmy.world
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          22 years ago

          As I said, I hate using Starbucks as an example, but they have drinks that are roughly the same consistency, and they are fine to drink out of their newer lids sans straws.

      • DessertStorms
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        02 years ago

        Yes, but some people actually depend on them to live, and considering jut how little of the plastics they made up, the crusade to get rid of them is nothing but a superficial feel good endeavour that has absolutely zero impact on the crisis we face, and just leaves disabled people lacking access to a literal life line.

        • @bentropy@feddit.de
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          12 years ago

          It can’t have zero impact if you replace 50-300 million straws per day in de US alone. Could we do more? Of course we could but a start is a start and this is better than nothing.

          Besides that I don’t get how and why someone’s life might depends on plastic straws but I’m sure we could find an alternative for that poor person.

    • Pyr
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      32 years ago

      We really need to change the way that consumers consume things. People need to stop acting entitled to everything they want immediately and with every convenience available.

      Maybe people should start travelling around with their own straws. Have a craving for an iced coffee?? Well either bring your own metal/silicone reusable straw or deal with drinking straight from the cup. Be responsible and stop expecting corporations and government to solve every issue and maintain the lifestyle we have had the past few decades.

      Things need to change in order for the world to get better, and maintaining the same level of convenience and consumption is unfortunately not something that we can afford.

      • DessertStorms
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        -12 years ago

        Single use bendy straws were literally invented to help keep bedbound and other disabled people alive. There are also many reasons people can’t use different alternatives.

        You personally not using something, doesn’t mean others don’t, and to deny access to a literal lifeline for the sake of 0.003% of the plastics in the ocean (literally a drop in an ocean) because it makes you feel better and requires zero effort or sacrifice (from you), instead of actually acting to resolve the problem (like being anti-capitalist rather than just trying to apply band aids to its symptoms) is not only gross and ableist, but also a colossal counterproductive waste of time.