In 2015, plastic consumption worldwide totaled 300 million metric tonnes. That essentially means that for each one of the world's 7.6 billion humans, we're making 88 pounds of plastic a year.
I'm sure most of you have seen the video of the turtle getting a straw pulled out its nose. it's a terrible thing to watch and I'll probably never forget it.
Now I know that to the common folk that thinks that using 1-3 plastic straws a day isn't really going to affect this planet, well...you're very very very wrong.
The amount of plastic manufactured in the first ten years of this century eclipses the total produced in the entire last century.
Gandhi said “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do.”
Meaning change will start with us, with you.
There are so many other ways to use less plastic and it's start with the smallest thing - like a straw.
My family and I switched to stainless steel straws that you can get on Amazon for as low as 8 bucks.
You can also purchase biodegradable straws for as low as 9 bucks.
To the small, local business - here is a link to just one of the websites that sells biodegradable straws (wholesale), it may not be cheaper than plastic but I truly believe that people will do the right thing and make the switch.
https://cibowares.com/collections/eco-straws?gclid=CjwKCAjw0oveBRAmEiwAzf6_rJZWggVvBcKGPMoZANMjWWHiUZ0HDbyHUFP3yeTrPcS20x1-o6PwyhoCa3YQAvD_BwE
Here is a link to 11 easy ways you can reduce your plastic waste.
https://www.treehugger.com/green-home/11-easy-ways-reduce-your-plastic-waste-today.html
Change starts with you and it has to start NOW.
How much more can this planet take? time is running out and it is up to us, you, to do something about it.
If all this does't really matter to you and you think you can keep living your life care free not having to worry about any of this - let me ask you this:
How would you feel having a straw shoved up your nose?
Thanks for reading and I hope this make you want to change something about your lifestyle.
Please share and spread the word.