This City in California Just Proposed a Ban on Plastic Straws – Here’s Why Others Should Too

Plastic pollution is an incredibly serious issue that adversely affects the environment and wildlife. Seeing as plastic is not biodegradable, it exists on the planet for thousands of years. Every piece of plastic ever created still exists on earth today, and much of that plastic waste ends up in our oceans, where 700 animal species are threatened with extinction as a result. It is estimated 8.8 million TONS of plastic enter our oceans every year, where animals ingest it, become entangled in it, or even get plastic lodged in their bodies, like this sea turtle.

Recognizing plastic pollution as an issue that needs immediate attention, three City Council Members in Berkeley, California have proposed an ordinance that would ban the use of plastic straws in the city’s restaurants and cafes. Instead, restaurant owners will be required to provide biodegradable or paper alternatives. If this ordinance passes, it will be the first city in California to ban plastic straws.

We hope other localities follow in Berkeley’s footsteps and propose similar initiatives banning the use of plastic straws. With an estimated 500 million straws that are used every day, banning the use of them will certainly have an impact on decreasing plastic Pollution.

If you feel inspired to cut plastic out of your life, please take a look at the One Green Planet #CrushPlastic campaign for ideas to decrease your personal plastic use. Please share with friends and encourage them to #CrushPlastic too!

Let’s #CrushPlastic! Click the graphic below for more information.

Image Source: Emily C. McCormick/Shutterstock