milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,569
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on Jan 27, 2019 5:32:31 GMT
I don't even use 3 straws a YEAR!! That is a crazy statistic. I was going to say I could count the number of straws I use in a year and my family. We don't eat out very often and don't seem to run into straws when we do.
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Post by kristi on Jan 27, 2019 6:13:54 GMT
I use plastic straws and love them. I don’t like the paper ones and not a fan of reusable ones when I’m out/on the go.
I’m in California so effective in Jan wait staff no longer bring you straws. They aren’t supposed to offer them. They ask for your drink order, bring it to you and then you have to bug them to bring you a straw. I’m sure it is because this is all new but not enjoying having to ask for straws.
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Post by Lexica on Jan 27, 2019 6:19:51 GMT
For those of you wanting to stop using plastic straws, consider stainless steel straws. I like to drink my ice water through a straw. It keeps me from getting those freeze headaches. I tried a couple of type of reusable straws and have settled on the stainless steel straws. I do have a glass straw that I like a lot, and it is guaranteed not to break, but I still feel I have to be too careful with it for everyday use. The stainless straws come in bent or straight versions and various widths and lengths and are easy to care for. And that does sound like a high estimate to me.
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Post by scrappinmom3 on Jan 27, 2019 6:36:21 GMT
I used to use at least that amount of straws per day and probably more. I have switched to the stainless steel ones from amazon that come with little plastic ends so that your mouth doesn’t touch the stainless and I love them! If I am at a restaurant, I use the plastic.
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Post by pjaye on Jan 27, 2019 7:21:20 GMT
I believe it. I switched to re-useable straws for my smoothies at home a couple of years ago (I also bought a straw cleaner so I feel like it actually gets clean inside when I wash it)....and if I buy a drink while I am out I either drink out of the bottle or straight from the glass.
Putting my lips on a glass isn't going to kill me, but using straws will kill many marine animals.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jan 27, 2019 7:38:45 GMT
I think the last time I had a drink with a straw in it was other a month ago. Some people must be using a heck of a lot of straws. That's what I was thinking. I eat out a LOT, and I reckon I'd be lucky to use one straw a MONTH.
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Post by jacquelinescraps on Jan 27, 2019 7:39:46 GMT
A few use years back, I quit buying plastic straws and switched to metal ones to save money and stop waste. They sucked because I never realized that I liked to chew on my plastic straws. so now I use no straws.
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,019
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Jan 27, 2019 14:07:45 GMT
I use plastic straws. I bought my last pack of 100 about 2 years ago and I’m still using them. I only use one to drink my little can of soda. I limit myself to 1 can/day. I then wash out my straw and reuse it until it’s nol longer usable.
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Post by candygurl on Jan 27, 2019 14:08:24 GMT
We don’t use juice boxes or get drinks from 7-11 or places like that but I can see how it adds up. We went out last weekend and they didn’t have any straws until someone asked and I think that is a good rule. I have a friend whose son has to use a straw to drink (he is physically disabled) so I do think restaurants should have them but not put them out unless asked. I did buy the stainless steel ones but always forget to grab out of my car. Definitely need to work on this!
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Jan 27, 2019 14:43:44 GMT
Big hugs to all my reusable straw sisters on this thread! I've been encouraged by everyone who has switched! I carry hard plastic straws in my purse. It was a learning to curve to remember to bring them and use them, but so was remembering reusable grocery bags at first too. I tried the silicone ones, but have liked the hard plastic ones so much better. I used to use at least a straw a day, many days more. Any change we can make for the better matters.
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Post by annie on Jan 27, 2019 15:33:29 GMT
I almost entirely drink using straws, but I switched to reusable ones years ago. I do think restaurants need to become more responsible about this issue. It's just a new thing that people need to get used to.
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,589
Jun 26, 2014 21:55:15 GMT
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Post by jayfab on Jan 27, 2019 15:35:15 GMT
I totally believe the stats. At my previous job I used at least 2 a day.
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Post by oliquig on Jan 27, 2019 15:45:47 GMT
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Post by tentoes on Jan 27, 2019 15:59:12 GMT
I don't usually use any. I'm actually more concerned, however, about the statistics on how many abortions take place yearly. It's sickening.
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Post by mustlovecats on Jan 27, 2019 16:02:55 GMT
I don't usually use any. I'm actually more concerned, however, about the statistics on how many abortions take place yearly. It's sickening. And just think, I can do my part with straws by not using disposable ones... and you can do your part with abortion by not having one. Win/win!
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Post by chaosisapony on Jan 27, 2019 17:04:17 GMT
So when I was a kid there was a big push to cut up the plastic rings that would hold together bottles of soda or a six pack of cans. I think there was something that came out showing the rings were harmful to marine life and would get stuck around birds. So my whole life, whenever I have one of those sets of plastic rings (which isn't too often) I cut them up so that nothing can get caught in them. I'm wondering if we should all start cutting up our disposable straws too.
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joelise
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,649
Jul 1, 2014 6:33:14 GMT
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Post by joelise on Jan 27, 2019 17:43:45 GMT
I believe the stat. I don’t use plastic straws and I refuse them in restaurants, I care too much about the planet!
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psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:26 GMT
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Post by psiluvu on Jan 27, 2019 17:47:54 GMT
I use one straw a day. Sometimes two on the weekends. Not proud of it so I've been looking at reusable straws on Amazon or most likely toting around paper straws. I got my kids the metal straws from pampered chef that comes in a package with two straws and a brush cleaner. Much to my surprise they both loved them and use them regularly. I don't use straws and ask for them not to be put in my drink when I am out.
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Post by birukitty on Jan 27, 2019 20:50:27 GMT
So when I was a kid there was a big push to cut up the plastic rings that would hold together bottles of soda or a six pack of cans. I think there was something that came out showing the rings were harmful to marine life and would get stuck around birds. So my whole life, whenever I have one of those sets of plastic rings (which isn't too often) I cut them up so that nothing can get caught in them. I'm wondering if we should all start cutting up our disposable straws too. I remember exactly what you are talking about. I don't think cutting up and throwing away plastic straws will help-it's still a ton of plastic that will end up in the ocean that doesn't have to if we all play our part. But I do understand that some people will still want and some have to drink with straws and plastic straws are convenient. What about those of you who still use plastic straws when you are out-what about instead of throwing away the plastic straw along with the cardboard cup-remove the plastic straw, dry it off and bring it home to toss in to the recycling container at home? Maybe cutting them up before you do just in case? That is of course if your recycling company will accept this type of plastic. Mine still does-any type of hard "shaped" plastic they will still accept. It's the slippery clear plastic bags they aren't taking anymore but we deal with that by saving them and then taking them to Whole Foods who has a container right inside the door that accepts them for recycling. I think other grocery stores do too. I am so happy to hear that most of our Peas have taken this subject seriously and have made the switch to alternative straws. Go Peas! For myself we never eat out-maybe once a year if that-unless we eat at Whole Foods and when we eat there we share a bottle of water. There are no vegan restaurants where I live and it's just easier to eat at home-probably why it's so easy for me not to use straws. But from now on if I do come across a plastic straw while I am out I'm going to take it home and recycle it. It takes just doing it a few times before it becomes a habit. Like me and my disposable contact lens plastic pods-I would never, ever think of throwing them in the trash now.
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Post by stampbooker on Jan 27, 2019 21:10:16 GMT
I hate it when I ask for a refill and the server brings me a drink with another straw in it. As if I couldn't use the straw from my first drink! They shouldn't be automatically putting straws in drinks anyway, they should wait until someone asks.
I think I am going to start talking to the manager whenever I eat out (which isn't often!) and suggesting that they do this. Many of the towns around here are banning plastic shopping bags, so it shouldn't be too difficult for restaurant owners to understand that this is another way they can help.
Also, don't be fooled by the idea that you can just recycle straws (and plastic bottles, etc.) If you think that everything you throw in the recycle bin is actually being recycled, then you are fooling yourself.
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Post by pjaye on Jan 28, 2019 0:30:29 GMT
I don't usually use any. I'm actually more concerned, however, about the statistics on how many abortions take place yearly. It's sickening. Is your brain so tiny that you can only have one thought in it at any one time?
Huh. Who knew? I can care about multiple issues at any one time...simultaneously. I can care about animal rights, climate change, racism etc. If I care about plastic in our oceans and not killing our wildlife, that doesn't exclude me caring about other issues that affect people as well.
Maybe those of us who respect a woman's right to choose have bigger more evolved brains?
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,143
Aug 14, 2015 21:47:17 GMT
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Post by pilcas on Jan 28, 2019 0:34:44 GMT
I don't usually use any. I'm actually more concerned, however, about the statistics on how many abortions take place yearly. It's sickening. How does this relate to the topic?
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 28, 2019 0:37:55 GMT
I think they should still be made available for people with disabilities at places outside the home. I understand that you can take reusable ones with you, but sometimes life happens. Especially if you are a person or caregiver of someone with disabilities. Have them available if someone asks.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,064
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on Jan 28, 2019 19:51:06 GMT
I have no problem with being asked if I want a straw, but as someone who doesn't use them (ever) I do find that I am given them a lot. It seems that we could be using them more wisely.
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Post by Prenticekid on Jan 28, 2019 19:55:53 GMT
I think that sounds right for the number manufactured, perhaps not used in a day.
I don't think that consumer use is the way to lower that number. It has to be something that causes a dollar effect on a company for them to change.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 28, 2019 22:53:35 GMT
I totally believe it. I do use them going to fast food or whatever... I do have the hard reusable ones at home (I do like a straw for certain drinks)... I never thought of carrying a straw with me.
I still cut up those plastic pop rings... and my kids do it to.. I started that years ago.
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Jan 28, 2019 23:46:37 GMT
My family doesn't use straws unless we are out to eat and that is less than 1 time per month. I have a cup I use at home that has a reusable straw that I use and my kids and DH just use regular cups.
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