Plastic Straws
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The Problem
Plastic straws are mainly made with polypropylene, a resin, as well as colourants and other additives, and wrapped in plastic or paper sleeves or bulk packed and packaged in plastic pouches or paper boxes.
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Polypropylene plastic does not readily degrade, it was made to be durable and last forever. As plastic is disposed of, over years of weathering, plastic may break down into small fragments of plastic (microplastic) and leach toxic chemical, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and PS oligomers into our land, our water and our food chain.
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BPA and PS oligomers are sources of concern as they can disrupt the function of and can seriously affect reproductive hormones.
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In many cases, plastic straws are being distributed to the customers in restaurants without asking and thus not allowing one to have the choice to use the straw or not, creating plastic pollution that is unnecessary. At home, plastic straws are used in beverage as well. Even though plastic straws can be reused, this is a rare practice.
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The Solution
The solution is simple.
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Do not use a straw. Do you really need a straw?
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Reusable straws. Carry your own straw where ever you go.
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Stainless Steel
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Glass
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Bamboo
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Paper
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Encourage and promote restaurants to eliminate the use of plastic straws by no longer purchasing plastic straws or giving out straws automatically (give upon request only). This in turn will save the business money by no longer buying plastic straws and decrease the amount of plastic pollution that is made by you and the establishment. Another alternative for restaurants is to supply only compostable straws and provide them only upon request (information where to obtain alternative straws will be provided).
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Where to Purchase Reusable Straws:
Generation Green at the Forks, Winnipeg, MB
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