Straws!

[sunglow]

My husband and I are now asking servers at restaurants to please hold back the straws. After reading the facts about how many straws we use in the U.S. each year - 500 million DAILY - enough to circle earth 2.5 times! And they for the most part can't be recycled and end up in our landfills and our oceans. The Great Pacific garbage patch is twice the size of France and contains nearly 80,000 tons of plastic. I hope people will read this and will also ask their servers to hold back the straws.

[kcrazorbackfan]

I wish those flimsy one time use bags from ALL RETAIL STORES would get banned and force people to buy reusable bags; that would cut down on a lot of plastic waste.

[EdFNJ]

That's definitely the last straw.

[dotti105]

We try to always remember to take in our reusable bags. A habit I got into working in the Bay Area. There no one gives shoppers bags. You can purchase them or bring your own. That’s the way it should be everywhere.
I do love using a straw, but will be changing to a Bamboo or glass straw that I carry with me.
I read the same article as the OP and it’s frightening how huge the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or Pacific Trash Vortex actually is. They believe it is the size of Mexico. And we still don’t recycle or stop using shopping bags. Reflects pretty poorly on us all.

[Carl in Tampa]

I prefer to drink through a straw at public restaurants for sanitary reasons. Too many food preparers handle drinks by the rim of the glass.

[dotti105]

I prefer to drink through a straw at public restaurants for sanitary reasons. Too many food preparers handle drinks by the rim of the glass.

That’s another reason why I will be carrying my own!

[BobnBev]

My husband and I are now asking servers at restaurants to please hold back the straws. After reading the facts about how many straws we use in the U.S. each year - 500 million DAILY - enough to circle earth 2.5 times! And they for the most part can't be recycled and end up in our landfills and our oceans. The Great Pacific garbage patch is twice the size of France and contains nearly 80,000 tons of plastic. I hope people will read this and will also ask their servers to hold back the straws.

If you got these "facts" from the internet, then they must be true. :ohdear::22yikes::rolleyes::sigh:

[karostay]

Next someone will want hand sanitizer's at each table.
For you germ a phobics..Just imagine how many germs have been transmitted by the simple act of pulling you chair up
let alone a server handling your glass

Last they shouldn't have tooth picks at the door..Imagine how many trees will be save.
Or they should pass a law..Tooth Picks can only be made from storm damaged trees

[Cisco Kid]

Next someone will want hand sanitizer's at each table.
For you germ a phobics..Just imagine how many germs have been transmitted by the simple act of pulling you chair up
let alone a server handling your glass

How about the lemon they put in your tea. Do you think it clean before it went in.

[vintageogauge]

Next someone will want hand sanitizer's at each table.
For you germ a phobics..Just imagine how many germs have been transmitted by the simple act of pulling you chair up
let alone a server handling your glass

Last they shouldn't have tooth picks at the door..Imagine how many trees will be save.
Or they should pass a law..Tooth Picks can only be made from storm damaged trees

I think they should have hand sanitizers at the table. Some of the salt and pepper shakers are disgustingly sticky, never thought about the chairs but you are right. I like that fact that Lowe's has them at the entrance to clean the shopping cart handles.

[DeanFL]

Not quite straw-related, but...

About 20 years ago (during a period of countless air miles), I was on a SWA flight...going....somewhere. Time for beverage service and I asked for my usual Diet Coke.

The middle-aged Flight Attendant came back with the tray of filled plastic cups. I noticed that her routine for serving was to place one of those small napkins centered directly on the rim-then she would "claw" the drink from the top, only touching the napkin, and pass it over. I noticed that she did that each time.

Later on I spoke with her. She said "that's how I was trained". I wrote to the President of SWA complimenting her by name and recommended that this be a Standard in flight service. Got a boiler-plate letter back.

Imagine the bacteria and germs that could be transmitted by a busy FA hands over the flight time - especially the hand-to-mouth incidental contact during that drink-sip. Among the countless ways to pick up illness 'up there'.

[ColdNoMore]

If you got these "facts" from the internet, then they must be true.

I know you're just trying to be facetious, but the internet has allowed everyone to do their own research, determine what are actual facts and not depend on what "someone said"...which is often driven by emotional , knee-jerk reactions with an agenda.

Some people don't want to know actual facts and are happier that way, while other, more intellectually curious people...do.

Put me in the column of...Facts Matter.


As for straws, they are but one component of the trash fouling our environment...with personal water bottles being another. :ohdear:

[graciegirl]

Does anyone remember paper straws? They were biodegradable. It seems one of our giant live oaks could make a lot of paper straws and there would be no need for social action. If I carried a glass straw in the bottom of my purse, I am pretty sure I would die of an unspeakable illness. I have no idea what's been down in there. Or is down in there at the moment.

[ColdNoMore]

My husband and I are now asking servers at restaurants to please hold back the straws. After reading the facts about how many straws we use in the U.S. each year - 500 million DAILY - enough to circle earth 2.5 times! And they for the most part can't be recycled and end up in our landfills and our oceans. The Great Pacific garbage patch is twice the size of France and contains nearly 80,000 tons of plastic. I hope people will read this and will also ask their servers to hold back the straws.

It's actually been determined, with scientific study...to be even bigger than that.. :ohdear:

Great Pacific Garbage Patch now three times the size of France - CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/23/world/plastic-great-pacific-garbage-patch-intl/index.html)

According to a three-year study published in Scientific Reports Friday, the mass known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is about 1.6 million square kilometers in size -- up to 16 times bigger than previous estimates. That makes it more than double the size of Texas.

[DonH57]

Does anyone remember paper straws? They were biodegradable. It seems one of our giant live oaks could make a lot of paper straws and there would be no need for social action. If I carried a glass straw in the bottom of my purse, I am pretty sure I would die of an unspeakable illness. I have no idea what's been down in there. Or is down in there at the moment.

I've had people recently told me paper straws were being used in restaurants again. I watched an add about some poor sea turtle that had plastic straws stuck in his nostrils which was causing him to partially suffocate. I think his prank with his turtle friends went amiss!:a20:

[Taltarzac725]

Great Pacific Garbage Patch now three times the size of France - CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/23/world/plastic-great-pacific-garbage-patch-intl/index.html)

I saw some report that a French swimmer who swam across the Atlantic 2 years ago is trying to swim across the Pacific going through this garbage patch to draw the public's attention to the problem.

He does take a break every so often from swimming on the boat that accompanies him.

French man to cross Great Pacific Garbage Patch on 6-month swim - CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/05/asia/cross-pacific-swim-intl/index.html)

[New Englander]

You can have my straw when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

[Ooper]

I'm 70 years old. Never ever saw sanitary wipes outside stores until the last decade. If I made it this far, I don't think I'm gonna worry much about making sure my push cart handles are sanitary in the future.

[BobnBev]

You can have my straw when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

Said the head of the NSA (national straw association).:D

I used to drink water thru a garden hose, how on earth did I live so long? :thumbup:

[CFrance]

I prefer to drink through a straw at public restaurants for sanitary reasons. Too many food preparers handle drinks by the rim of the glass.
It would be easy to use Dotti's approach--buy your own reusable or recyclable straw. Plastic straws are being banned in several countries. Hope the US will follow suit, but somehow I doubt it.

[karostay]

According to Serve Safe and state and local health codes all employees mush wash hands when exiting a rest room returning to work?

But everything else is sanitized

[graciegirl]

It's actually been determined, with scientific study...to be even bigger than that.. :ohdear:

Great Pacific Garbage Patch now three times the size of France - CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/23/world/plastic-great-pacific-garbage-patch-intl/index.html)



Great Pacific Garbage Patch | OR&R's Marine Debris Program (https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/patch.html)

Great Pacific Garbage Patch - National Geographic Society (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/)

[Marathon Man]

My husband and I are now asking servers at restaurants to please hold back the straws. After reading the facts about how many straws we use in the U.S. each year - 500 million DAILY - enough to circle earth 2.5 times! And they for the most part can't be recycled and end up in our landfills and our oceans. The Great Pacific garbage patch is twice the size of France and contains nearly 80,000 tons of plastic. I hope people will read this and will also ask their servers to hold back the straws.

I love this. I am going to follow your lead.

[Cisco Kid]

Great Pacific Garbage Patch | OR&R's Marine Debris Program (https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/patch.html)

Great Pacific Garbage Patch - National Geographic Society (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/)


Is it in warm water or cold ? Can I lay some sod and develop it ?

[CFrance]

Is it in warm water or cold ? Can I lay some sod and develop it ?
You are so bad!!!:D

[CFrance]

Does anyone remember paper straws? They were biodegradable. It seems one of our giant live oaks could make a lot of paper straws and there would be no need for social action. If I carried a glass straw in the bottom of my purse, I am pretty sure I would die of an unspeakable illness. I have no idea what's been down in there. Or is down in there at the moment.
I remember paper straws. I remember the ones we used were white and had a spiral red stripe going from top to bottom.

[ColdNoMore]

I remember paper straws. I remember the ones we used were white and had a spiral red stripe going from top to bottom.

And you could unroll them, when as a kid you became impatient...about getting your meal. :angel:





:D

[CFrance]

And you could unroll them, when as a kid you became impatient...about getting your meal. :angel:





:D
Yes! Thanks for that memory.

[Schaumburger]

It would be easy to use Dotti's approach--buy your own reusable or recyclable straw. Plastic straws are being banned in several countries. Hope the US will follow suit, but somehow I doubt it.

Plastic straws have been banned in Malibu, Davis and San Luis Obispo, California, Seattle, Washington and Miami Beach and Fort Myers, Florida, so the movement is growing slowly in the U.S. (from the New York Times, 3/3/2018).

[pauld315]

Wonder if anybody actually read the articles. Over half the debris is from fisherman's nets and 20% of it is because of the tsunami in Japan. How do straws in the US get into the Pacific Ocean garbage patch again ? Are those greenies on the left coast dumping garbage in the ocean ?

[CFrance]

Plastic straws are number 11 on the list of the most plastic found in the ocean. They are very hard to recycle because there isn't a market for the type of plastic they're made of. (Of which they're made--for Bare & her mother.:smiley:)

The plastic garbage in the ocean existed long before the tsunami. The point is to stop using so much plastic needlessly, and then a tsunami wonuldn't pose as much of a problem.

In my former little town on Lake Michigan, the campaign is for each person to pick up and dispose of 3 pieces of discarded plastic from the beach every time you go.

[graciegirl]

Plastic straws are number 11 on the list of the most plastic found in the ocean. They are very hard to recycle because there isn't a market for the type of plastic they're made of. (Of which they're made--for Bare & her mother.:smiley:)

The plastic garbage in the ocean existed long before the tsunami. The point is to stop using so much plastic needlessly, and then a tsunami wonuldn't pose as much of a problem.

In my former little town on Lake Michigan, the campaign is for each person to pick up and dispose of 3 pieces of discarded plastic from the beach every time you go.

I am TOLD, WAS told by people older, that people would send their kids over to the local pub in the evening to bring back a pitcher of beer. Maybe we should bring our own containers for pop? (soda) to the grocery? To eliminate pop bottles? I still wear my old comfortable clothes a lot and reuse whenever I can. I don't throw out leftovers until they are green. We continue to use our old, not energy efficient washer and dryer so that we don't waste all that money and good parts still working.

[rockaway]

The buckets are called Growlers. I remember as a kid no older than 11 my father and his brothers would send me to the local bar
in Glendale NY with their Growler to get them beer. Boy times have sure changed things

[perrjojo]

Yes, straws are a problem but nothing compared to millions of plastic water bottles and single serve plastic coffee pods.

[stan the man]

yes, straws are a problem but nothing compared to millions of plastic water bottles and single serve plastic coffee pods.

amen

[Rollie]

Thanks Perron no, my thoughts exactly. Remember the 80-20 rule. Always work on the problems that will give the biggest gain.

Rollie

[EPutnam1863]

I prefer to drink through a straw at public restaurants for sanitary reasons. Too many food preparers handle drinks by the rim of the glass.

Exactly!!!:bigbow: Further it is easier to drink through the straw than trying to drink without the ice cubes getting in the way.

I am concerned though about the waste, so the server should ask if the customer wants a straw or not.

[CFrance]

I am TOLD, WAS told by people older, that people would send their kids over to the local pub in the evening to bring back a pitcher of beer. Maybe we should bring our own containers for pop? (soda) to the grocery? To eliminate pop bottles? I still wear my old comfortable clothes a lot and reuse whenever I can. I don't throw out leftovers until they are green. We continue to use our old, not energy efficient washer and dryer so that we don't waste all that money and good parts still working.
Ha ha! We never lived close enough to a pub, and I probably would have spilled it on the way back.


All the places we have lived (except here? I'm not sure) have filtered water stations in the grocery stores, where you bring your own gallon jugs to be filled.


Water filtration systems in houses make it possible to do away with buying water in plastic bottles.


I like the reduce, reuse, recycle philosophy.

[EPutnam1863]

According to Serve Safe and state and local health codes all employees mush wash hands when exiting a rest room returning to work?

But everything else is sanitized

I have seen servers lick their fingers when picking up menus. Also servers exit bathrooms without washing their hands. My son told me that while working in a kitchen when he was in high school, servers and cooks spat into the food when customers irritated them.

[EdFNJ]

[sarcasm on] I’m glad money is so clean when we use it. I read on the internet that if you put all the money end to end it would go from Fenney to Alpha Centuri ( but not back). Definitely should go to Electronic money only. They have also found e-coil in hand sanitizer according to the internet. [sarcasm off]

Please don’t get sprayed by the irrigation water. It smells like [emoji90]

[Crazyladycruz]

Have you ever though how many disposable diapers are in land fills? Go back to paper straws then and cloth diapers!

[CFrance]

Have you ever though how many disposable diapers are in land fills? Go back to paper straws then and cloth diapers!
You can get cloth diaper service for a similar amount of $ as paper diapers. I realize the convenience involved, but they are the worst.


Somehow I managed to get through two baby boys using cloth diapers. Back then ('70s) the paper diapers, which we were forced to use when traveling, ate holes in their bums. Had to smear Desitin eveywhere.


Yes to paper straws and cloth diapers.

[lindaelane]

I always as for at least "no straw for the water" if I forget to bring my own straw. For heaven sake, people can switch their straw back and forth if they have water and a drink they bought, if they just feel it is somehow icky to drink from the rim. But I agree, bring a straw or no straw are the best options.

The Publix at Mulberry often forces me to use plastic. I must remember to say "no plastic" or they will wrap multiple items, such as chicken, in a plastic bag before putting it in my cloth bag. Most offensive are what are usually older ******* who "know best'. Even when I ask for "no plastic", and make sure they heard, they ignore me and wrap items in plastic before putting them in my cloth bags. So I have to either watch them as they work, or ask them to allow me to bag my own. It seems odd to me - their generation grew up on "the customer is always right". If I have not had a leak in 60 years of shopping and think it unlikely that I will both have a leak and that fluids will penetrate past the shield at the bottom of plastic bags, that is my right.

The ******* also have an annoying way of carefully turning down the edges of my cloth bags before putting anything in them. This both takes up much of my time, and that of those in line, plus diminishes the capacity of the bag. Its totally unnecessary, the bag can easily be filled without turning down the edges. They frown and protest if I ask them not to turn down the edges of the cloth bags.

You know - they happily accommodate customers who insist on one, two or three items in each bag. Why can't they happily accommodate customers who do not want any plastic bags? Makes no sense.

[graciegirl]

kermit. i am green - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kermit.+i+am+green&view=detail&mid=9D92BB2A862F87141DD89D92BB2A862F87141DD8&FORM=VIRE)

[Chi33]

Why would you ban straws? Ban the production of straws.

What good does it do to ask the server not to bring you a straw? The straw exists already.

If anything, have them make straws out of paper going forward. IMHO, I need a straw when I am at the movies for my large soda.

[Byte1]

I prefer to drink through a straw at public restaurants for sanitary reasons. Too many food preparers handle drinks by the rim of the glass.

:thumbup:

[Byte1]

Next someone will want hand sanitizer's at each table.
For you germ a phobics..Just imagine how many germs have been transmitted by the simple act of pulling you chair up
let alone a server handling your glass

Last they shouldn't have tooth picks at the door..Imagine how many trees will be save.
Or they should pass a law..Tooth Picks can only be made from storm damaged trees

:thumbup:

[Chi33]

:thumbup:

and no Lemon in the water. Do you think they wear gloves to cut the lemons?

[GypsyBuddy]

The problem is the plastic, most of which comes from China. Straws used to be made from a paper product and some sort of recyclable material would be better for us all. I can't even remember when straws changed to all plastic. I am stopping the use of restaurant straws until they are environmentally friendly.

[Byte1]

Does anyone remember paper straws? They were biodegradable. It seems one of our giant live oaks could make a lot of paper straws and there would be no need for social action. If I carried a glass straw in the bottom of my purse, I am pretty sure I would die of an unspeakable illness. I have no idea what's been down in there. Or is down in there at the moment.

:thumbup:

[ColdNoMore]

McDonald's To Replace Plastic Straws With Paper In An Effort To Reduce Waste (https://aplus.com/a/mcdonalds-replaces-plastic-straws?no_monetization=true)

McDonald's announced it will replace plastic straws with paper ones at some of its U.K. locations in May in an effort to help protect the environment. In addition, customers will not automatically be given straws. Instead, straws will be held behind the counter, and will have to be specifically requested in an extra effort to reduce waste.

"The reduction and use of plastics is a hugely important issue – for our business, for the sector, and for society," Paul Pomroy, chief executive of McDonald's U.K., said in a statement. "We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and we can, and want to, be part of the solution."


Petition * Starbucks: Replace Plastic Straws with Biodegradable Paper Straws * Change.org (https://www.change.org/p/starbucks-replace-plastic-straws-with-biodegradable-paper-straws)


http://assets.change.org/photos/3/bz/xn/rObZXnoamrbMthr-800x450-noPad.jpg?1528327545

[graciegirl]

Do the same folks who eschew straws also use paper to pick up dog poop? Do they insist on reusable syringes at the doctor's office. Drink only out of glass bottles?

I think it is like the little old lady who peed in the sea. Every little bit helps.

[Byte1]

I have seen servers lick their fingers when picking up menus. Also servers exit bathrooms without washing their hands. My son told me that while working in a kitchen when he was in high school, servers and cooks spat into the food when customers irritated them.

:thumbup:

If less people ate at restaurants then there would be less waste. If they would stay home, then there would be less chance of them spreading disease.

The only drink where I do NOT use a straw is a beer.

[bjdopp]

I prefer to use straws because who know what the server was handling prior to giving me my drink.

[Byte1]

I always as for at least "no straw for the water" if I forget to bring my own straw. For heaven sake, people can switch their straw back and forth if they have water and a drink they bought, if they just feel it is somehow icky to drink from the rim. But I agree, bring a straw or no straw are the best options.

The Publix at Mulberry often forces me to use plastic. I must remember to say "no plastic" or they will wrap multiple items, such as chicken, in a plastic bag before putting it in my cloth bag. Most offensive are what are usually older ******* who "know best'. Even when I ask for "no plastic", and make sure they heard, they ignore me and wrap items in plastic before putting them in my cloth bags. So I have to either watch them as they work, or ask them to allow me to bag my own. It seems odd to me - their generation grew up on "the customer is always right". If I have not had a leak in 60 years of shopping and think it unlikely that I will both have a leak and that fluids will penetrate past the shield at the bottom of plastic bags, that is my right.

The ******* also have an annoying way of carefully turning down the edges of my cloth bags before putting anything in them. This both takes up much of my time, and that of those in line, plus diminishes the capacity of the bag. Its totally unnecessary, the bag can easily be filled without turning down the edges. They frown and protest if I ask them not to turn down the edges of the cloth bags.

You know - they happily accommodate customers who insist on one, two or three items in each bag. Why can't they happily accommodate customers who do not want any plastic bags? Makes no sense.

Go somewhere else. It's impossible to make EVERYONE happy. You do know that these meat containers leak? You should be thanking the clerk for putting the meat (especially chicken) in plastic bags before putting it in your cloth bag.

I think it is great to have the convenience of these stores so easily accessible. I hope that picky customers do not drive them away. They already have to pay more to do business here than outside of the Villages.

[Byte1]

Do the same folks who eschew straws also use paper to pick up dog poop? Do they insist on reusable syringes at the doctor's office. Drink only out of glass bottles?

I think it is like the little old lady who peed in the sea. Every little bit helps.

:thumbup:

:BigApplause:

[dewilson58]

Do the same folks who eschew straws also use paper to pick up dog poop? Do they insist on reusable syringes at the doctor's office. Drink only out of glass bottles?

I think it is like the little old lady who peed in the sea. Every little bit helps.

Just remember, there is no P in Sumter.

[CFrance]

The problem is the plastic, most of which comes from China. Straws used to be made from a paper product and some sort of recyclable material would be better for us all. I can't even remember when straws changed to all plastic. I am stopping the use of restaurant straws until they are environmentally friendly.
:thumbup:

[acstover]

Virtually all the plastic in that floating island in the Pacific is from Asia.

[CFrance]

Do the same folks who eschew straws also use paper to pick up dog poop? Do they insist on reusable syringes at the doctor's office. Drink only out of glass bottles?

I think it is like the little old lady who peed in the sea. Every little bit helps.
I use biodegradable poop bags. They cost an arm and a leg. I try to keep Crosby constipated. (KIDDING, but not about the cost of the bags.)



I use glass bottles or metal reusable water bottles. I switched over to a selzer machine because I was drinking a liter bottle of selzer a day.



Isn't there some health-related issue with reusable syringes? I don't think the public can control that particular usage.


And you're right, every little bit helps. I don't buy the "only do the most important" thing somebody mentioned above.


As far as "the straw already exists" comment, for each person that refuses to use an existing straw, that's one less straw to be thrown out. Eventually they'll stop being made.

[dlh352]

Amen !!!!

[brendayarema]

While I am all about saving the environment, My problem with no straws is more of a personal health issue. Using a straw, I avoid any germs or bacteria that have been placed on the glass during handling. So why don't restaurants use paper straws? These paper straws could be recycled with the rest of the restaurants paper.

[ron32162]

May be we have solved a big problem here in the villages as to why the ER is so full of people and 8 hour wait to see a doctor and no rooms in the hospital. People here just dont care about the sticky salt and pepper shakers at the table or putting their lips on a glass that you have no knowledge how clean it is. After sneezing at the table covering your mouth with a tissue then salt and peppering your food with shakers that havent been wiped down or having something like c-diff (alot of that here in TV) which can stay on hard surfaces for 3 months and very contagious. So to you people that think you cant catch something from a simple thing like going out to eat don't complain about your long wait at the ER or your local walk in clinic.

[ffresh]

While I am all about saving the environment, My problem with no straws is more of a personal health issue. Using a straw, I avoid any germs or bacteria that have been placed on the glass during handling. So why don't restaurants use paper straws? These paper straws could be recycled with the rest of the restaurants paper.

Other than cooking oil, I do not believe that MOST restaurants recycle anything - too costly for them.

Restaurants weigh costs, benefits of recycling | Nation's Restaurant News (http://www.nrn.com/sustainability/restaurants-weigh-costs-benefits-recycling)

FredF

[jljacobson]

Amazon has metal straws that can be carried with you when dining out! Non breakable and YOU know how clean they are! Great job folks.

[thetruth]

Have you ever though how many disposable diapers are in land fills? Go back to paper straws then and cloth diapers!

A lot of paper is recycled. The brown paper napkins-hum
were they diapers in the past?

Not sure I really want to know.

I find it sadly amusing. We are forced to BUY paper bags to have the trash company collect our recycle-able lawn waste.
In the past, we used to use corrugated boxes. They too, made from paper-plant material-will also decompose.

Oh. on the trash subject, you/we need to buy plastic bags for your trash. Every solution has it's negatives

[Ponygirl]

Thank You Sunglow for your kind and compassionate post abt reducing the use of plastic straws.

To some of those who responded: this post was not abt sanitation or hygiene but an effort to enlighten us to take action to protect the environment, ecological balance and reduce waste and pollution.

I hope all will think abt the importance of Sunlow's post and what we can do to make a difference. Thank you

[Gpsma]

Simply burn garbage in a waste to energy clean inciinerator like just about all of Europe has been doing.

This way you wont have to worry about straws!

[Carl in Tampa]

Thank You Sunglow for your kind and compassionate post abt reducing the use of plastic straws.

To some of those who responded: this post was not abt sanitation or hygiene but an effort to enlighten us to take action to protect the environment, ecological balance and reduce waste and pollution.

I hope all will think abt the importance of Sunlow's post and what we can do to make a difference. Thank you

Perhaps you did not see this thread as being about sanitation, but that was a logical path for the discussion because it explained the utility of the straws. It justified the use of straws.

I absolutely intend to continue to use straws.

[GoodLife]

I absolutely intend to continue to use straws.

And so will about 7 billion other people on the planet

[graciegirl]

There is no question there is a problem, but we cannot solve it all by ourselves.

[banjobob]

The idea of straws helping end the pollution problem is noble but it seems bottled water bottles are a bigger pollutant

[CFrance]

Perhaps you did not see this thread as being about sanitation, but that was a logical path for the discussion because it explained the utility of the straws. It justified the use of straws.

I absolutely intend to continue to use straws.
I think the use of straws is fine for sanitation purposes, as long as they're paper. Or carry your own reusable straw if your immune-compromised or worried about germs.


The thread was about plastic straws ending up in landfills and polluting the oceans, rivers, and streams. The solution is paper straws. Also, where I live part of the year, straws are never used. You get your drink of choice in a glass, no straw. I don't see people getting sick from it. If we can handle paper money and public doorknobs...

[OhioBuckeye]

Next someone will want hand sanitizer's at each table.
For you germ a phobics..Just imagine how many germs have been transmitted by the simple act of pulling you chair up
let alone a server handling your glass

Last they shouldn't have tooth picks at the door..Imagine how many trees will be save.
Or they should pass a law..Tooth Picks can only be made from storm damaged trees

I agree people are getting excited about everything. If they do this then it'll be something else. But we do have the technology to make a lot of things degradable!

[BarbStout]

Just wanted to thank you for this post!! If you absolutely need to use straws I recommend ordering the silicone ones! Also, wondering if you have tried the shampoo bars? One bar is like 3 bottles of shampoo. No plastic to dispose of!!

Even safer to buy your own reusable, then the only person touching even the straw is you!! Silicone ones are best in my opinion. Amazon has a bunch!

[Schaumburger]

On the plastic straw front, as of July 1, Seattle has banned the use of plastic straws. Starbucks is phasing out the use of plastic straws by 2020. Hyatt Hotels are phasing out plastic straws. McDonalds is investigating the phase out for US locations and is switching to paper straws in the UK and Ireland in September.

So progress is being made to end the use of plastic straws, but it will take time.

[graciegirl]

I think "they" are grasping at straws.

Us old-er people have been taught to repurpose, reuse and not waste. And to save our money, and try to prevent wasteful spending wherever we can. Turn off lights, eat our leftovers and take good care of our possessions.


There are all kinds of things we can do. But we cannot stop the other parts of the world from wasting and polluting. It is kind of like pithing into the wind.

[GoodLife]

My husband and I are now asking servers at restaurants to please hold back the straws. After reading the facts about how many straws we use in the U.S. each year - 500 million DAILY - enough to circle earth 2.5 times! And they for the most part can't be recycled and end up in our landfills and our oceans. The Great Pacific garbage patch is twice the size of France and contains nearly 80,000 tons of plastic. I hope people will read this and will also ask their servers to hold back the straws.

Up to 95 per cent of plastic polluting the world's oceans pours in from just ten rivers, according to new research.

The top 10 rivers - eight of which are in Asia - accounted for so much plastic because of the mismanagement of waste.

75642

95% of plastic in oceans comes from just ten rivers | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4970214/95-plastic-oceans-comes-just-TEN-rivers.html)

[Topspinmo]

Let talk about the elephant in the room! The 6 and 8 pack soda plastic retainers that strangle and kill wildlife on land and the ocean. IMO no need for plastic carton while recycle cardboard boxes can be used like with aluminum cans packaged in quantities over 6. IMO that's bigger problem than straws. It's all about the dollar/CEOS can save on labor and materials for their bonus. It probably saved 2 cents to make in plastic over paper plus the factory and besides some would be against that cause of the use of wood pulp which is probably waste wood from lumber?

[Ooper]

But yet I don't see any body complaining about the 1000's and 1000's of huge plastic bags that we are required to put our garbage in each week. Compare that to a little plastic straw, really? I agree that any plastic discarded in any environment is not good. I have no problem with paper straws. But when you add up the plastic bags used by all the home owners here in The Villages twice a week, it kinda dwarfs the straw problem.

[Wiotte]

May be we have solved a big problem here in the villages as to why the ER is so full of people and 8 hour wait to see a doctor and no rooms in the hospital. People here just dont care about the sticky salt and pepper shakers at the table or putting their lips on a glass that you have no knowledge how clean it is. After sneezing at the table covering your mouth with a tissue then salt and peppering your food with shakers that havent been wiped down or having something like c-diff (alot of that here in TV) which can stay on hard surfaces for 3 months and very contagious. So to you people that think you cant catch something from a simple thing like going out to eat don't complain about your long wait at the ER or your local walk in clinic.



Egads man, what have you uncovered ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LuckySevens]

I prefer to drink through a straw at public restaurants for sanitary reasons. Too many food preparers handle drinks by the rim of the glass.

ME TOO.....I ALWAYS WANT A FRESH STRAW and it is often inconvenient to take one with me.

[CFrance]

ME TOO.....I ALWAYS WANT A FRESH STRAW and it is often inconvenient to take one with me.
A fresh straw! Paper straws are the answer. Paper is biodegradable and renewable.

[Schaumburger]

A fresh straw! Paper straws are the answer. Paper is biodegradable and renewable.

:BigApplause: Agree 100%

[manaboutown]

I prefer to drink through a straw at public restaurants for sanitary reasons. Too many food preparers handle drinks by the rim of the glass.

:agree:

[manaboutown]

The idea of straws helping end the pollution problem is noble but it seems bottled water bottles are a bigger pollutant

:agree:

[rivaridger1]

One step at a time. Publix last week had paper straws hanging in the middle of several aisles. We bought four packages and will continue to do as long as they are kept in stock.

[MrsPhil]

I have plenty of reusable bags but since I also find many uses for plastic (and paper) grocery bags, I don't use my reusables without incentive. Where I came from, several of the stores paid me a nickel for each bag I used, which quickly paid me back for the cost of the bag. I know of only 2 stores in the area which provide incentives (Aldi and Sav-A-Lot): they charge for each of their bags you use, which works out the same, and I'm fine with that.

[MrsPhil]

As for straws, both sides (for and against use) make sense. Paper straws seem a good option. For an entire city (Seattle) to ban straws in general without first coming up with an alternative is short-sighted. Many drinks are fine without a straw but just try it with a milkshake or frappucino! What they save in straws will be made up for in napkins post haste!

[CFrance]

As for straws, both sides (for and against use) make sense. Paper straws seem a good option. For an entire city (Seattle) to ban straws in general without first coming up with an alternative is short-sighted. Many drinks are fine without a straw but just try it with a milkshake or frappucino! What they save in straws will be made up for in napkins post haste!


They do have an alternative. It's been well thought-out. Seattle becomes first major US city to ban plastic straws and utensils | The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/seattle-plastic-straws-ban-law-violation-fines-restaurants-code-environment-utensils-a8427361.html)

[mickey100]

Using paper straws is a great idea. Speaking of environmental impacts, I also wish we could start recycling our junk mail at our postal stations in The Villages. I think the easiest way would be for them to remove all the waste containers, so there would be no place for people to toss the junk mail, and dog poop. People would have to take it home with them and hopefully recycle. I look at the existing trash receptacles, and see them all filled up with junk mail. What a waste.

[pookieroo]

Why are there no overhead photos of this garbage patch that is the size of France? Where is it exactly? With all the shots of stranded polar bears (caused by melting ice caps no doubt) you would think that someone would fly over this and get a good wide shot of this phenomena.

[graciegirl]

Using paper straws is a great idea. Speaking of environmental impacts, I also wish we could start recycling our junk mail at our postal stations in The Villages. I think the easiest way would be for them to remove all the waste containers, so there would be no place for people to toss the junk mail, and dog poop. People would have to take it home with them and hopefully recycle. I look at the existing trash receptacles, and see them all filled up with junk mail. What a waste.

I wish that they would NOT get rid of waste containers at the mail station. I find that the waste containers are a good place to toss things and not litter the beautiful landscape that is an important part of MY happiness and I suspect that of others as well.

[CFrance]

Why are there no overhead photos of this garbage patch that is the size of France? Where is it exactly? With all the shots of stranded polar bears (caused by melting ice caps no doubt) you would think that someone would fly over this and get a good wide shot of this phenomena.
There are many pictures of it, although it is too large to get a whole shot, and it is apparently not visible from a spacecraft or satellite. One of the largest ones is in the Pacific Ocean off of Hawaii. Google it and then click on "Images" at the top of the Google results page, and it will bring up a myriad of images.


As a matter of fact, and I'm not saying this is a reason to disregard reducing consumer plastic waste, it is said that almost half of the patch contains fishing industry garbage. One quarter of the other half is from the Japan Tsunami.


This whole straw/plastic utensils drive will most benefit the individual states/countries that are adopting it.

[Love2Swim]

I wish that they would NOT get rid of waste containers at the mail station. I find that the waste containers are a good place to toss things and not litter the beautiful landscape that is an important part of MY happiness and I suspect that of others as well.

I have never seen Villagers litter. To insinuate that without garbage receptacles at the postal area, Villagers would run rampant littering the landscape is IMHO, far fetched. People genuinely care about their hometown and how it looks. The place garbage receptacles is needed is at the neighborhood pools, in the pool area, where people might be lounging and eating snacks, etc. But if I take a walk up to the postal station, or walk my dog there, why would I need a garbage can? Do I bring garbage with me? I don't think so. Take a look at the containers and see what is in there. Primarily junk mail. And probably dog poop.

When I travel out to Seattle for example, the people there are trained to recycle. In the airport, the garbage containers are separated into bins, and people actually sort their garbage. The Villages is way behind the times when it comes to recycling. If the Villages was progressive thinking and wanted to be proactive as far as recycling, and there was really a concern about littering, the Villages could take a few postal stations, remove the garbage receptacles and do a trial run and see how it goes. I know environmental clubs have been making suggestions for many years, and have gotten shot down by the powers that be. Perhaps when Janet Tuttle's replacement comes in, an opportunity might arise to make the postal stations more environmentally friendly. In the meantime, it saddens me, and many others I'm sure, to see the tons of waste that do not get recycled at the postal stations.

[retiredguy123]

Using paper straws is a great idea. Speaking of environmental impacts, I also wish we could start recycling our junk mail at our postal stations in The Villages. I think the easiest way would be for them to remove all the waste containers, so there would be no place for people to toss the junk mail, and dog poop. People would have to take it home with them and hopefully recycle. I look at the existing trash receptacles, and see them all filled up with junk mail. What a waste.
If the trash cans at the mail boxes are not for junk mail, then why are they there? Mine has 5 trash cans. What am I supposed to put in them?

[retiredguy123]

If they really want you to recycle, why do they only pick it up once a week? 90 percent of my trash falls into the recycleable catagory, which I think is probably the case for most people. And, those clear Glad bags I bought at Publix come apart when I try to fill them because the ties don't work. So, I end up using the white Hefty bags that have ties that actually function.

[graciegirl]

I have never seen Villagers litter. To insinuate that without garbage receptacles at the postal area, Villagers would run rampant littering the landscape is IMHO, far fetched. People genuinely care about their hometown and how it looks. The place garbage receptacles is needed is at the neighborhood pools, in the pool area, where people might be lounging and eating snacks, etc. But if I take a walk up to the postal station, or walk my dog there, why would I need a garbage can? Do I bring garbage with me? I don't think so. Take a look at the containers and see what is in there. Primarily junk mail. And probably dog poop.

When I travel out to Seattle for example, the people there are trained to recycle. In the airport, the garbage containers are separated into bins, and people actually sort their garbage. The Villages is way behind the times when it comes to recycling. If the Villages was progressive thinking and wanted to be proactive as far as recycling, and there was really a concern about littering, the Villages could take a few postal stations, remove the garbage receptacles and do a trial run and see how it goes. I know environmental clubs have been making suggestions for many years, and have gotten shot down by the powers that be. Perhaps when Janet Tuttle's replacement comes in, an opportunity might arise to make the postal stations more environmentally friendly. In the meantime, it saddens me, and many others I'm sure, to see the tons of waste that do not get recycled at the postal stations.


Whoa. I suspect I am in a race I didn't enter. And I am a great believer in global warming and SEE only U.S. support for making things better. Reuse, repurpose and recycle. Don't waste and use common sense.

I like Janet TUTT. A LOT.

[CFrance]

If the trash cans at the mail boxes are not for junk mail, then why are they there? Mine has 5 trash cans. What am I supposed to put in them?
Maybe if we didn't put anything in them, they wouldn't be there. They are there; so people do not take their junk mail home with them and recycle it.


It's a chicken/egg thing, I think. Someone has to break the cycle. I agree with the person who said if the cans were taken away, people would take their junk mail home and recycle it. And there wouldn't be any more dog poop in the containers if there are no containers.


It's not about anyone's personal happiness anymore, IMO. I believe if they took the trash cans away from the postal stations, people would not resort to throwing trash on the ground.

[graciegirl]

Maybe if we didn't put anything in them, they wouldn't be there. They are there; so people do not take their junk mail home with them and recycle it.


It's a chicken/egg thing, I think. Someone has to break the cycle. I agree with the person who said if the cans were taken away, people would take their junk mail home and recycle it. And there wouldn't be any more dog poop in the containers if there are no containers.


It's not about anyone's personal happiness anymore, IMO. I believe if they took the trash cans away from the postal stations, people would not resort to throwing trash on the ground.

Yes but, the reason that they put the trash cans there is the reason we put trash can's anywhere. It is convenient to throw our trash there. Why make it political? We don't all agree on certain things. We live in site of our neighborhood mail drop. (one of the few small villages that has their own) We see a black pick up come and pick up the trash and take it away. Why is that not good? What difference does it make?

[retiredguy123]

Can someone give me a specific example of how I can make use of the 5 trash cans located at my mailbox, that I am paying someone to empty? Should I start carrying chicken bones and left over fruit with me when I go to pick up my mail?

[graciegirl]

Can someone give me a specific example of how I can make use of the 5 trash cans located at my mailbox, that I am paying someone to empty? Should I start carrying chicken bones and left over fruit with me when I go to pick up my mail?

Now hold on. We all knew how much our fees were when we moved here. There have been no up charge or any assessments in ten years we have owned here. I cringe every time someone tries to fix what isn't broken. I don't understand how removing trash cans can help this green thing.

[Barefoot]

The 6 and 8 pack soda plastic retainers that strangle and kill wildlife on land and the ocean.
I'm well aware of the plastic retainers, they are horrible!
I always cut through each one before I discard them.
I agree, it would be much better to recycle cardboard holders.

[ColdNoMore]

The effort has been made to have one day of garbage pickup, to have recyclables also included from our driveways...so someone must care.

I mean really, how hard would it be to put a recyclable can as a test, instead of all regular garbage cans... at the postal stations? :oops:

I would even bet that the recyclable can would be (based on my personal observation that the regular cans are filled +-80% with the spam mail received)...by far the most used.

Once those who never want any improvements/changes made get over their irrational emotional issues, leave one regular garbage can...and add whatever additional recyclable cans that are needed.

Pretty simple actually. :ohdear:

[CFrance]

Yes but, the reason that they put the trash cans there is the reason we put trash can's anywhere. It is convenient to throw our trash there. Why make it political? We don't all agree on certain things. We live in site of our neighborhood mail drop. (one of the few small villages that has their own) We see a black pick up come and pick up the trash and take it away. Why is that not good? What difference does it make?
It makes a lot of difference when people are discarding recyclables into trash cans.


Most postal stations are by a pool. There is a trash can by the pool, not far from the postal station, but far enough that people are not going to walk over to it to throw their junk mail, which should be recycled, into the trash can. Use the trash cans for trash; take your junk mail home and recycle it.


It's not political. It's environmental. Too many people think the environmental awarerness thing is political. I want this planet to still be around for my grandchild's children.

[graciegirl]

The effort has been made to have one day of garbage pickup, to have recyclables also included from our driveways...so someone must care.

I mean really, how hard would it be to put a recyclable can as a test, instead of all regular garbage cans... at the postal stations? :oops:

I would even bet that the recyclable can would be (based on my personal observation that the regular cans are filled +-80% with the spam mail received)...by far the most used.

Once those who never want any improvements/changes made get over their irrational emotional issues, leave one regular garbage can...and add whatever additional recyclable cans that are needed.

Pretty simple actually. :ohdear:

I don't understand. Are you for trash cans or think we need more or less at the mail drops? People use trash cans for trash. Some trash or garbage (the words are geographic)can be recycled. Please what do you mean by "irrational emotional issues"?

[ColdNoMore]

I'm well aware of the plastic retainers, they are horrible!
I always cut through each one before I discard them.
I agree, it would be much better to recycle cardboard holders.

Same here.

In fact, my hat is off to the school system my children attended because they were given photos of all the fish & animals caught by these '6-pack traps' to take home...to show their parents.

At our house, it became a big deal to my kids to be the one to take out all of the cans/bottles...and cut up the plastic holders. :thumbup:

[graciegirl]

Same here.

In fact, my hat is off to the school system my children attended because they were given photos of all the fish & animals caught by these '6-pack traps' to take home...to show their parents.

At our house, it became a big deal to my kids to be the one to take out all of the cans/bottles...and cut up the plastic holders. :thumbup:

So. Back to the trash cans coming or going at the mail drop? Do you want them to stay or go?

[ColdNoMore]

So. Back to the trash cans coming or going at the mail drop? Do you want them to stay or go?
At each postal station;

- 1 (if even that) trash/garbage can.

- 2 or more (as needed)...cans for recyclable paper/spam mail.


As others have so intelligently pointed out, exactly what real 'trash/garbage' do people have to get rid of when checking their mail...unless maybe it's dog poop? :oops:


:wave:

[CFrance]

At each postal station;

- 1 (if even that) trash/garbage can.

- 2 or more (as needed)...cans for recyclable paper/spam mail.


As others have so intelligently pointed out, exactly what real 'trash/garbage' do people have to get rid of when checking their mail...unless maybe it's dog poop? :oops:


:wave:
CNM, the main problem I see with that is that people will put trash in the recycling bins. Or worse--poop bags. (There's always someone, unfortunately.) Then TV will get discouraged and take them away.


Our country is relatively new to recycling. People are loathe to change something they've been doing most of their lives. It's a challenge. Hopefully the younger generation will take over...

[graciegirl]

At each postal station;

- 1 (if even that) trash/garbage can.

- 2 or more (as needed)...cans for recyclable paper/spam mail.


As others have so intelligently pointed out, exactly what real 'trash/garbage' do people have to get rid of when checking their mail...unless maybe it's dog poop? :oops:


:wave:

I don't have a dog. I put chewing gum in the trash/garbage (the word we use is geographic) Our Helene picks up the mail and brings every bit of it home so none of this personally affects me or our household. It just seems silly to remove a trash/garbage can from a place where people would put their trash/garbage. P.S. I think of garbage as apple peels and meat bones and coffee grounds. I think of trash as paper and plastic and cans. Perhaps we need a can for dog poop and a can for trash?

[ColdNoMore]

It makes a lot of difference when people are discarding recyclables into trash cans.


Most postal stations are by a pool. There is a trash can by the pool, not far from the postal station, but far enough that people are not going to walk over to it to throw their junk mail, which should be recycled, into the trash can. Use the trash cans for trash; take your junk mail home and recycle it.


It's not political. It's environmental. Too many people think the environmental awareness thing is political. I want this planet to still be around for my grandchild's children.

ABSOLUTELY! :BigApplause:


All too many think that since they're only one person and so many others don't think about recycling or the environment...why should they even bother?


The answer to that of course, is history is replete with a plethora of success stories of changing the status quo for the better, because just a few people at the beginning cared...and wanted a better future for their children/grandchildren. :thumbup:


We no longer read/see rivers catching fire because of the pollutants and unregulated dumping, and I for one...am darned glad about that.


And yet, there are still those of course who believe companies/communities/entities will police themselves and not put profits/money first...so those regulations aren't really needed.


Simply amazing. :ohdear:

[ColdNoMore]

CNM, the main problem I see with that is that people will put trash in the recycling bins. Or worse--poop bags. (There's always someone, unfortunately.) Then TV will get discouraged and take them away.


Our country is relatively new to recycling. People are loathe to change something they've been doing most of their lives. It's a challenge. Hopefully the younger generation will take over...

I understand and even share...your concern.

I guess I'm also hoping though, maybe naively, that even some old dogs...can learn new habits. :shrug:

I believe that the 'Environmental Movement' (that started when I was in school and has been so beneficial), has made a huge positive impact on most people, or has at the very least raised awareness...and has maybe even instilled a sense of guilt in the folks who eschew its principles.

And I too hope that my children's generation and their kids... will continue to make an even greater impact. :thumbup:







Speaking of 'eschew,' if it's gum...just keep it in your mouth until you get home. :D

[graciegirl]

It makes a lot of difference when people are discarding recyclables into trash cans.


Most postal stations are by a pool. There is a trash can by the pool, not far from the postal station, but far enough that people are not going to walk over to it to throw their junk mail, which should be recycled, into the trash can. Use the trash cans for trash; take your junk mail home and recycle it.


It's not political. It's environmental. Too many people think the environmental awarerness thing is political. I want this planet to still be around for my grandchild's children.

Who doesn't want that? It is how we interpret how to accomplish that that becomes debate.

How much do we repair before we discard? ( Many people throw out appliances to make a home GREEN...with new appliances.) How much do we personally recycle, i.e. reuse?? How much are we willing to sacrifice in order to not waste? How much do we defile this world with smoking and bad habits. How many waste money? Just what are habits that will protect the earth and what is rhetoric? Each like to point the finger at the other. We cannot save the earth with only part of the earth participating. There is one woman in The Villages who earns my complete respect for her interpretation of being careful with this world we live in,and her name is Bernice and she is 105 years old. She called for me to get a Butterfly bush that they were going to discard when they added a pool. She grows a garden and she cans and she has all the right lights and she is careful with her money and her clothes. We need to be more like Bernice, who may very well live to see her efforts rewarded.

[CFrance]

Who doesn't want that? It is how we interpret how to accomplish that that becomes debate.

How much do we repair before we discard? ( Many people throw out appliances to make a home GREEN...with new appliances.) How much do we personally recycle, i.e. reuse?? How much are we willing to sacrifice in order to not waste? How much do we defile this world with smoking and bad habits. How many waste money? Just what are habits that will protect the earth and what is rhetoric? Each like to point the finger at the other. We cannot save the earth with only part of the earth participating. There is one woman in The Villages who earns my complete respect for her interpretation of being careful with this world we live in,and her name is Bernice and she is 105 years old. She called for me to get a Butterfly bush that they were going to discard when they added a pool. She grows a garden and she cans and she has all the right lights and she is careful with her money and her clothes. We need to be more like Bernice, who may very well live to see her efforts rewarded.
The biggest disagreement I have with what you just said is that people can't change the earth because not everybody is participating. To a lesser extent I disagree with your statement that people are throwing out appliances to get green ones. I don't know anyone who has done that--changing to a greener one when they need a new one, or donating a working one to a good cause when buying a new one, yes, but throwing them out just to get a more efficient one? Are there statistics on that?


Instead of asking all those questions, just start doing something. Do the thing that's in front of you, however small.


My friend says nobody on her street recycles anything. That's just wrong. But it's not going to make me give up and not recycle.


If we hadn't had people campaigning against smoking, nobody would know it's bad for your health. It was the kids who started campaigning to their parents, after what they learned in school.


Same with recycling and other environmental issues. It has to start somewhere. Frustration doesn't let you off the hook. Stop asking and start doing. (That's my wish for everyone).

[graciegirl]

The biggest disagreement I have with what you just said is that people can't change the earth because not everybody is participating. To a lesser extent I disagree with your statement that people are throwing out appliances to get green ones. I don't know anyone who has done that--changing to a greener one when they need a new one, or donating a working one to a good cause when buying a new one, yes, but throwing them out just to get a more efficient one? Are there statistics on that?


Instead of asking all those questions, just start doing something. Do the thing that's in front of you, however small.


My friend says nobody on her street recycles anything. That's just wrong. But it's not going to make me give up and not recycle.


If we hadn't had people campaigning against smoking, nobody would know it's bad for your health. It was the kids who started campaigning to their parents, after what they learned in school.


Same with recycling and other environmental issues. It has to start somewhere. Frustration doesn't let you off the hook. Stop asking and start doing. (That's my wish for everyone).

You are preaching to the choir and so am I. NO kids stopped us from smoking. Wisdom from the medical community did.

[ColdNoMore]

Snip>The biggest disagreement I have with what you just said is that people can't change the earth because not everybody is participating.<Snip

Yep! :thumbup:




It even sounds familiar. :D
All too many think that since they're only one person and so many others don't think about recycling or the environment...why should they even bother?

[Chi33]

The isn't a big deal. We can't stop straws. This of all the plastic we use

[Chi-Town]

One trash can and one recycling can . No big deal. Happens all the time everywhere.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[retiredguy123]

I don't have a dog. I put chewing gum in the trash/garbage (the word we use is geographic) Our Helene picks up the mail and brings every bit of it home so none of this personally affects me or our household. It just seems silly to remove a trash/garbage can from a place where people would put their trash/garbage. P.S. I think of garbage as apple peels and meat bones and coffee grounds. I think of trash as paper and plastic and cans. Perhaps we need a can for dog poop and a can for trash?
I am really confused. If you cannot put junk mail in the postal trash can, then why can you put in paper, plastic, and cans? These are all things that you are supposed to recycle. The only logical thing to dispose of at the mail box is junk mail, especially when they provide 5 trash cans there, and pay someone to empty them on a regular basis. Also, almost everything that I dispose of in my house is on the recycle list, but they only pick it up once per week.

[graciegirl]

I am really confused. If you cannot put junk mail in the postal trash can, then why can you put in paper, plastic, and cans? These are all things that you are supposed to recycle.

I don't understand your question. I think we should have a can for junk mail. Perhaps we need a can for dog poop too.

[retiredguy123]

My question is what can I put in the 5 cans that are at my mailbox now? It seems as though, if I can put bottles and cans in it, I should also be able to put in the junk mail. I don't go to the mailbox to eat apples and meat, or to brew coffee. Isn't it pretty obvious that whoever decided to install 5 trash cans at the mailboxes intended for them to be used for junk mail?

[CFrance]

My question is what can I put in the 5 cans that are at my mailbox now? It seems as though, if I can put bottles and cans in it, I should also be able to put in the junk mail. I don't go to the mailbox to eat apples and meat, or to brew coffee. Isn't it pretty obvious that whoever decided to install 5 trash cans at the mailboxes intended for them to be used for junk mail?
I think you're asking permission to throw your recyclables away in the trash. I get your point because there are no public recycle bins anywhere in TV. It becomes a personal choice and boils down to how serious one is about recycling.


A good first step would be to install recycle bins beside the trash cans in the public spaces.


And for anyone who thinks that would be ugly, so are land fills, plus they smell!

[graciegirl]

I think you're asking permission to throw your recyclables away in the trash. I get your point because there are no public recycle bins anywhere in TV. It becomes a personal choice and boils down to how serious one is about recycling.


A good first step would be to install recycle bins beside the trash cans in the public spaces.


And for anyone who thinks that would be ugly, so are land fills, plus they smell!

That sounds reasonable. The "refuse" is different and going to different places. Removing waste cans altogether just seemed unrealistic.

It is a personal choice still, and no one way in itself is going to change global warming, it is just moving our arms and legs. REALISM is required. It is like the old saying, "every little bit helps, the old lady said as she peed in the sea". We all want to stop it, but unless the whole world participates it is a downhill slope. Lecturing others won't change them anymore than passing MORE laws about guns and drugs. We each need to do what we think is right. Lecturing people is like marching. It just ****es people off it they aren't on your wavelength.

[Brandigirl]

I invested in some stainless steel and glass straws. I use the wider glass straws for smoothies so I can see better to clean them. The stainless steel for iced tea, selzer etc. I wash them right away. I use them everyday! I also carry a small container of hand sanitizer so I can use whenever I feel is necessary. At a restaurant, when someone shakes my hand, etc.

[Bay Kid]

The whole problem in our world starts with straws.

[graciegirl]

The whole problem in our world starts with straws.

How so? We don't use straws at home. Assuming the glass has been washed in a dishwasher in restaurants, they shouldn't be germy. If it eases the minds of those who worry, I would be willing to give up straws forever.

[CFrance]

That sounds reasonable. The "refuse" is different and going to different places. Removing waste cans altogether just seemed unrealistic.

It is a personal choice still, and no one way in itself is going to change global warming, it is just moving our arms and legs. REALISM is required. It is like the old saying, "every little bit helps, the old lady said as she peed in the sea". We all want to stop it, but unless the whole world participates it is a downhill slope. Lecturing others won't change them anymore than passing MORE laws about guns and drugs. We each need to do what we think is right. Lecturing people is like marching. It just ****es people off it they aren't on your wavelength.
I couldn't disagree with you more. Realism isn't required, IMO. Action is. Now, by everyone, no matter how small.



If the younger people in our family, of which there are 12, at all represent the attitudes of their generation, something more will be done as soon as we're out of the way. Education is the key; pressure can be brought to bear. All of us old far!s will fade away, and they will be left with the power.


Until then, I'll do what I can.

[ColdNoMore]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Realism isn't required, IMO. Action is. Now, by everyone, no matter how small.

If the younger people in our family, of which there are 12, at all represent the attitudes of their generation, something more will be done as soon as we're out of the way. Education is the key; pressure can be brought to bear. All of us old far!s will fade away, and they will be left with the power.

Until then, I'll do what I can.

:BigApplause:...:BigApplause:...:BigApplause:

[graciegirl]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Realism isn't required, IMO. Action is. Now, by everyone, no matter how small.



If the younger people in our family, of which there are 12, at all represent the attitudes of their generation, something more will be done as soon as we're out of the way. Education is the key; pressure can be brought to bear. All of us old far!s will fade away, and they will be left with the power.


Until then, I'll do what I can.

Please do.

If I felt that the world would be better if people all gave to a fund for research for rare disorders and I believed that with my whole heart, I could probably win the favor of young children for my cause and the cause IS a good one, BUT....Not everyone has exactly the same view of what they hold most important and how they see ANY situation. We may feel our way to deal with global warming is the right way. Global warming is a serious issue, but the answer may lie in science and converting Ozone and squelching volcanoes and stop making anything of plastic. I think we have all successfully defined the problem, but all the straws given up in this world is not going to stop global warming.

I love children and I can see that they are frightened to death right now of being shot at school, but the answers they have may not be the best answers. I think older, more experienced people need to see that they are protected, instead of changing laws that will NOT stop a mentally ill person from killing innocent kids. No one needs an assault rifle. I have never even touched a gun, we don't have them, but how I look at it and you look at it are at odds. I would like to have one if I ever need one.

I wonder what will happen to the young man who is so vocal about the shooting he survived in Broward county. Will he do better than those who are not activists? Time will tell. I wish we never had to be discussing this at all.

[Buffalo Jim]

I couldn't disagree with you more. Realism isn't required, IMO. Action is. Now, by everyone, no matter how small.



If the younger people in our family, of which there are 12, at all represent the attitudes of their generation, something more will be done as soon as we're out of the way. Education is the key; pressure can be brought to bear. All of us old far!s will fade away, and they will be left with the power.


Until then, I'll do what I can.

China and India are responsible for the vast majority of ocean trash .
The above aside ,I recently collected a number of relatively straight twigs . Then I went to the Villages Wood Shop and drilled holes thru the center . I washed them and now carry a couple with me wrapped in paper towel to use instead of any type of straw that might be offered .
Everyone should do this .

[CFrance]

Please do.

If I felt that the world would be better if people all gave to a fund for research for rare disorders and I believed that with my whole heart, I could probably win the favor of young children for my cause and the cause IS a good one, BUT....Not everyone has exactly the same view of what they hold most important and how they see ANY situation. We may feel our way to deal with global warming is the right way. Global warming is a serious issue, but the answer may lie in science and converting Ozone and squelching volcanoes and stop making anything of plastic. I think we have all successfully defined the problem, but all the straws given up in this world is not going to stop global warming.

I love children and I can see that they are frightened to death right now of being shot at school, but the answers they have may not be the best answers. I think older, more experienced people need to see that they are protected, instead of changing laws that will NOT stop a mentally ill person from killing innocent kids. No one needs an assault rifle. I have never even touched a gun, we don't have them, but how I look at it and you look at it are at odds. I would like to have one if I ever need one.

I wonder what will happen to the young man who is so vocal about the shooting he survived in Broward county. Will he do better than those who are not activists? Time will tell. I wish we never had to be discussing this at all.
I can certainly agree with you that it is a sad state to have to be discussing this at all, GG.

[CFrance]

I invested in some stainless steel and glass straws. I use the wider glass straws for smoothies so I can see better to clean them. The stainless steel for iced tea, selzer etc. I wash them right away. I use them everyday! I also carry a small container of hand sanitizer so I can use whenever I feel is necessary. At a restaurant, when someone shakes my hand, etc.

China and India are responsible for the vast majority of ocean trash .
The above aside ,I recently collected a number of relatively straight twigs . Then I went to the Villages Wood Shop and drilled holes thru the center . I washed them and now carry a couple with me wrapped in paper towel to use instead of any type of straw that might be offered .
Everyone should do this .
I am very interested in these ideas. Especially the glass and stainless steel straws, since those are pre-made. Amazon has these.

[Barefoot]

A good first step would be to install recycle bins beside the trash cans in the public spaces.
And for anyone who thinks that would be ugly, so are land fills, plus they smell!
It is an excellent idea to install recycle bins at each postal station.
Makes it easy for residents to do the right thing! :thumbup:

[ColdNoMore]

It is an excellent idea to install recycle bins at each postal station.
Makes it easy for residents to do the right thing! :thumbup:


:BigApplause:...:BigApplause:...:BigApplause:

[Gpsma]

I helped save the Earth today and was ecologically sensitve when I went to lunch at Beef O,Gradys.

I ate part of a cow. The cow had to be slaughtered for its meat so my hamburger has now contributed to less methane emitted from cow manure.

I refused a glass with my beer. No glass saves using electricity and water to clean it.

I feel this little part will help make the world cleaner and safer.

[retiredguy123]

I helped save the Earth today and was ecologically sensitve when I went to lunch at Beef O,Gradys.

I ate part of a cow. The cow had to be slaughtered for its meat so my hamburger has now contributed to less methane emitted from cow manure.

I refused a glass with my beer. No glass saves using electricity and water to clean it.

I feel this little part will help make the world cleaner and safer.
Since the topic of this thread is straws, I assume you drank the beer with a straw.

[Buffalo Jim]

Since the topic of this thread is straws, I assume you drank the beer with a straw.

I let him try one of the wooden twigs which I hollowed out . I'm trying to promote these as the best and most natural alternative to manufactured glass and steel straws as they both consume a lot of energy in their manufacture .

My hollowed out wooden twigs are made from those which are found on the ground so no harm to nature . The paper towel I use to carry them around is of course both reusable and biodegradable .

[Chi33]

FoxNews did a story on straws tonight, and yes, its dumb, they aren't going away and we aren't going to use metal ones.

[CFrance]

Well, if FOX News said it, for sure it's the gospel truth.:icon_wink:

[graciegirl]

Well, if FOX News said it, for sure it's the gospel truth.:icon_wink:



AND CNN, MSNBC, only tell you how THEY see it and how THEY feel about it. As Fox does too.

Hard news and old fashioned reporting of the facts in journalism is dead C.

[CFrance]

Your child was employed by Fox News for awhile as was our family member. Do not bite the hand.

AND CNN, MSNBC, only tell you how THEY see it and how THEY feel about it. As Fox does too.

Hard news and old fashioned reporting of the facts in journalism is dead C.
:shocked::shocked::shocked:

[leftyf]

The best news network today is OAN, channel 347 on Direct TV

[Bay Kid]

The best news is NO news.

[graciegirl]

The best news is NO news.

I'll say.

My point is that the three major news networks are just political talking heads, giving their opinion, mostly on politics, occasionally breaking for hard news, usually national disasters which are soon interpreted by whether or not this would have happened because; (you got it)

I remember clearly when who, what, when,where and why was the criteria of good reporting and not the opinion of the owner of the company that broadcast. I understand about business competition, ratings and clickbait, but the stress engendered by broadcasting incendiary wording is changing the country in a bad way. Everyone is ready to BITE. Oh I long for JUST THE FACTS!

[HandyGrandpap]

Good suggestion about the straws.

[graciegirl]

Good suggestion about the straws.

Which one?:pray:

[skyking]

My husband and I are now asking servers at restaurants to please hold back the straws. After reading the facts about how many straws we use in the U.S. each year - 500 million DAILY - enough to circle earth 2.5 times! And they for the most part can't be recycled and end up in our landfills and our oceans. The Great Pacific garbage patch is twice the size of France and contains nearly 80,000 tons of plastic. I hope people will read this and will also ask their servers to hold back the straws.

Sunglow: Quoting dubious facts.

NBC News on Sunday backed off a dubious claim*that Americans use 1.6 straws a day on average, after critics noted*it was based on research from a nine-year-old boy whose methodology never has undergone any significant scrutiny.

This Kid Single-Handedly Ignited the Plastic Straw Ban Movement (https://www.thedailybeast.com/this-kid-single-handedly-launched-the-plastic-straw-ban-movement)

[ColdNoMore]

Sunglow: Quoting dubious facts.

NBC News on Sunday backed off a dubious claim*that Americans use 1.6 straws a day on average, after critics noted*it was based on research from a nine-year-old boy whose methodology never has undergone any significant scrutiny.

This Kid Single-Handedly Ignited the Plastic Straw Ban Movement (https://www.thedailybeast.com/this-kid-single-handedly-launched-the-plastic-straw-ban-movement)

Do you have a (different) link showing something about "research from a 9 year old kid"...much less anything about "methodology?"

Because the link you provided, certainly doesn't say anything about..."research or methodology." :oops:

[CFrance]

My bamboo straws are on the way. They come with a brush cleaner and a cloth storage sac. I'd be happy to share them with all the people who are scared of the germs they might encounter on glasses without straws.

[graciegirl]

Do you have a (different) link showing something about "research from a 9 year old kid"...much less anything about "methodology?"

Because the link you provided, certainly doesn't say anything about..."research or methodology." :oops:

Anti straw movement based on unverified statistic of 500 million a day (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/07/18/anti-straw-movement-based-unverified-statistic-500-million-day/750563002/)

NBC News backs off fishy statistic about plastic straws from research by 9-year-old boy | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/04/22/nbc-news-source-for-fishy-statistic-about-plastic-straws-is-research-by-9-year-old-boy.html)

[ColdNoMore]

My bamboo straws are on the way. They come with a brush cleaner and a cloth storage sac. I'd be happy to share them with all the people who are scared of the germs they might encounter on glasses without straws.

You suck...



...in a very good and responsible way. :thumbup:




:D

[graciegirl]

You suck...



...in a very good and responsible way. :thumbup:




:D

More links;

How a 9-Year-Old Boy’s Statistic Shaped a Debate on Straws - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/business/plastic-straws-ban-fact-check-nyt.html)

Meet the boy who launched the movement to ban plastic straws eight years ago in Vermont | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5992427/Meet-boy-launched-movement-ban-plastic-straws-eight-years-ago-Vermont.html)

Anti straw movement based on unverified statistic of 500 million a day (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/07/18/anti-straw-movement-based-unverified-statistic-500-million-day/750563002/)

One Child's Outsized Influence On The Debate Over Plastic Straws : NPR (https://www.npr.org/2018/07/22/631254978/one-childs-outsized-influence-on-the-debate-over-plastic-waste)

[CFrance]

Here's the point: one straw is one too many.

"Through his research, Cress estimated Americans use about 500 million straws — including clear plastic straws, bendy straws, straws on juice boxes, cocktail straws and plastic drink stirrers — every day, a number that has been cited by many publications including the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post in recent coverage about the wave of plastic straw bans by major corporations like Starbucks. Some have said his number is too high, while others say it’s too low. But Cress, now 17, says that’s not the point.

“'I think getting stuck on what the exact number is sort of misses the point of my project, which is to reduce our use and waste of straws,' he tells MONEY. 'I think we could improve on pretty much any number as long as we’re continuing to waste plastic. Any number is too high.'"

Meet the Kid Who Came Up With the 500 Million Straws Statistic | Money (http://time.com/money/5343736/how-many-plastic-straws-used-every-day/)

The bottom line is we're heaping non degradable stuff into our landfills needlessly. It's time to change our habits, from straws to bottled water.

[Yung Dum]

Wake up people. Straws, shopping bags, styrofoam and a thousand other things are destroying our planet. It is cause for concern. As responsible people we should do what we can to prevent future generations from dying because of our indifference. You may not believe it's true, but what if it is? An island of garbage is not part of nature. And just because some other countries aren't working towards a cleaner world is no excuse for us not to do what we can. We are Americans and have always led the world. Let's keep leading. Keep the Earth alive.

[ColdNoMore]

Wake up people. Straws, shopping bags, styrofoam and a thousand other things are destroying our planet. It is cause for concern. As responsible people we should do what we can to prevent future generations from dying because of our indifference. You may not believe it's true, but what if it is? An island of garbage is not part of nature. And just because some other countries aren't working towards a cleaner world is no excuse for us not to do what we can. We are Americans and have always led the world. Let's keep leading. Keep the Earth alive.


Outstanding post! :bigbow:

[graciegirl]

Wake up people. Straws, shopping bags, styrofoam and a thousand other things are destroying our planet. It is cause for concern. As responsible people we should do what we can to prevent future generations from dying because of our indifference. You may not believe it's true, but what if it is? An island of garbage is not part of nature. And just because some other countries aren't working towards a cleaner world is no excuse for us not to do what we can. We are Americans and have always led the world. Let's keep leading. Keep the Earth alive.

I cannot think of any person who would disagree with your post. It is a wonderful tribute to your kindness and your caring heart and to the good in all people.

But until someone, and I think it will happen, comes up with biodegradable plastic, nothing much will change. I think that the issue of not using straws is a tiny step that won't ever amount to a hill of beans. And this issue underscores the basic difference in all of the political rhetoric today. One side accuses the other of being selfish, shortsighted and hateful. One side is much more vocal. One side is often very unrealistic.

We cannot legislate morality. We cannot MAKE anyone do the right thing....except for parents raising children under five. And that ship has sailed. Most small children are now given over to people that the parents would not trust their car keys with.

Back to global warming; I know of no one that doesn't believe that the ozone layer is in danger, that carbon fuel is the culprit and that something needs to be done. There is climate change, undoubtedly. I don't believe in our country joining other countries who don't do anything but take our money is going to help one tiny bit. It is all talk and money drain for this country. I would rather see the money go to research that would find a way to make plastic biodegradable, or improve the ozone layer, or squelch volcanoes and stop forest fires. That CAN be done.

We each have to do what we think is best. Each person take care of himself and their family. Each country take care of themselves. We cannot control the world. Every little bit helps the old lady said as she peed in the sea.

[Chi-Town]

Wake up people. Straws, shopping bags, styrofoam and a thousand other things are destroying our planet. It is cause for concern. As responsible people we should do what we can to prevent future generations from dying because of our indifference. You may not believe it's true, but what if it is? An island of garbage is not part of nature. And just because some other countries aren't working towards a cleaner world is no excuse for us not to do what we can. We are Americans and have always led the world. Let's keep leading. Keep the Earth alive.Well said and appreciated.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[coffeebean]

How about the lemon they put in your tea. Do you think it clean before it went in.

What about the currency you just paid the hot dog vendor and then ate the hot dog without washing your hands? Ever think about how many people have handled one single dollar bill? Or a quarter?

[Barefoot]

Wake up people. Straws, shopping bags, styrofoam and a thousand other things are destroying our planet. It is cause for concern. As responsible people we should do what we can to prevent future generations from dying because of our indifference. You may not believe it's true, but what if it is?
An island of garbage is not part of nature. And just because some other countries aren't working towards a cleaner world is no excuse for us not to do what we can. We are Americans and have always led the world. Let's keep leading. Keep the Earth alive.
Outstanding post, and beautifully written. :mademyday:

[CFrance]

The other thing I just read in a Norwegian study is that within 5 months 90% of the new plastics addition to the ocean ends up on sea bed, and another 8% is submerged. Plastic ends up on the ocean floor - SINTEF (https://www.sintef.no/en/latest-news/the-plastic-ends-up-on-the-ocean-floor/)

And it's being broken down into tiny particles, which collect algae and thus smell like food, Ocean Life Eats Tons of Plastic—Here’s Why That Matters (https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/ocean-life-eats-plastic-larvaceans-anchovy-environment) are being consumed by fish, which are being consumed by bigger fish, and on up the scale, until it's finally consumed by us eating fish.

There is so much microscopic plastic particulate in the air, BTW, that we are breathing it.

All the research is there.

[perrjojo]

While I believe every litter bit hurts, straws are such a minuscule part of the problem. You give up plastic water bottles and coffe Kpods and I will give up my straw.

[Edjkoz]

I grew up with paper straws an they worked just fine. Let’s just go n that direction

[CFrance]

While I believe every litter bit hurts, straws are such a minuscule part of the problem. You give up plastic water bottles and coffe Kpods and I will give up my straw.
I gave up plastic water bottles years ago and never would use Kpods. I have my own straw--an old sturdy plastic one that I've been reusing for six years. There are reasonable substitutes for water bottles and straws. Others have already gone before you, so the ball's in your court!


Kpods taste like instant coffee to me. It takes two minutes to set up a coffee pot.

[graciegirl]

A beloved family member who faithfully does a number of things environmentalists discuss to save the planet, has lived in her home that is full of spots not insulated well for ten years, and spent a lot of dollars on fuel that could have been saved if she had her home insulated.

Sometimes practical things that make us more comfortable are good for the earth as well. They don't use fuel as much. Sometimes, I believe people become fixated on their focus and then it becomes sort of like churches saying their path is the only way. And like the women of the Pharisees, don't preach and say how virtuous you are, just do it. Pithing people off never gains a recruit. I am not much for most activism like marches.

I very much took in the research that CFrance posted above on small fish eating bits of plastic. That is something to think about for sure.

We were in Baltimore this month and saw this amazing device that removes six tons of trash a day from Chesapeake harbor;
video of water wheel in baltimore harbor that removes trash. - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=video+of+water+wheel+in+baltimore+harbor+ that+removes+trash.&docid=608049994426287244&mid=FF7AE918F44EF0786CD3FF7AE918F44EF0786CD3&view=detail&FORM=VIREHT) Look at this very long and you will cut back on plastic for sure.

[Ooper]

Thought this was interesting. Do we save a fish or kill a tree? Decisions, decisions... Stossel: Plastic Straw Myths - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTrECOS4fzU)

[CFrance]

Thought this was interesting. Do we save a fish or kill a tree? Decisions, decisions... Stossel: Plastic Straw Myths - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTrECOS4fzU)
Have you looked her and her institute up?

"CEI promotes environmental policies based on limited government regulation and property rights and rejects what they call "global warming (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming) alarmism".[3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competitive_Enterprise_Institute#cite_note-CEI_Energy_&_Environment_page-3) The organization's largest program, the Center for Energy and Environment, focuses on energy policy, chemical risk policy, Clean Air Act (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act_(United_States)) regulation, land and water regulation, the Endangered Species Act (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_Species_Act), and private conservation policies."
Wikipedia. The organization ranks 59 out of 60 top think tanks. Wikipedia.
Go here for an eye opener on them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competitive_Enterprise_Institute

I fear they are business oriented over what's good for the environment. Trees and bamboo are renewable. Plastic is not biodegradable. We use fish for food.

If you don't like the idea of making straws out of paper or bamboo, try the glass or stainless steel ones.