‘People need them’: the trouble with the movement to ban plastic straws

In California and beyond, lawmakers are taking action for the environment. But advocates for people with disabilities say the bans create yet another hurdle to dining in public.

At first glance, bans on plastic straws might seem like a simple – and harmless – next step for the environmentally conscious.

Love sea turtles? No more straws. Want to save the planet? “Stop sucking.”

But as cities and corporations jump on the anti-straw movement that is gaining worldwide support and celebrity backing, few have stopped to consider the unintended consequences of these well-intentioned bans.

Boba tea shops that rely on plastic straws are left scrambling to find pricier alternatives. Manufacturers of compostable straws can’t keep up production to meet the demand. And people with disabilities who cannot drink a beverage without the assistance of a straw now have to navigate yet another obstacle to dining in public.

read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/25/plastic-straw-ban-california-people-with-disabilities

Posted by admin on Sep 2 2018. Filed under Zero waste. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry