By Jenna Mattern

The slogan, “Skip the straw, save a turtle,” is one we’ve all seen before. But how true is it?

“Plastic straws are not as damaging as the media portrays,” says Marin Marquez, a Marine Fisheries Biologist at Fathom Resources.

“They’re harmful, of course, but their effect on sea life and turtles specifically, is not the leading cause of injuries and death due to plastic pollution.”

In contemporary times of environmental crisis, Marquez and many other scientists see how important it is to take steps as an individual to care for the earth, its landscapes, and especially its oceans. This might look like skipping out on a straw, using a reusable bag, or being more aware of water usage during their morning routines.

However, discussion about climate change and ocean health remains nuanced and there is plenty of discourse and debate surrounding the true impact of individual choices. One of the biggest topics up for debate: how big is the impact of plastic straws?

The beginning of plastic straws

According to National Geographic, humans have been using cylindrical tubes for drinking for centuries–even though the term “plastic straw” was not mainstream yet. A man named Marvin Stone was the first to receive a patent on the straw, which at the time, was made from paper.

In the 1930s straws began having the ability to bend, and by the 1960s plastic straws began being manufactured in bulk. Plastic was and remains the cheaper option, and some would argue more durable.

As of today, the U.S. alone uses 500 million straws a day, EcoCycle reports. Though many corporations have pledged to phase out the usage of plastic straws, plenty of work remains. For consumers, questions still arise about whether skipping the straw is doing as much as one might think.

How do straws end up in oceans?
Like many other plastics, straws can make their way into the ocean in a variety of ways.

“Plastic straws can reach the ocean in many ways,” Marquez says.

“A straw could have been left on a beach, then gets blown into the ocean by the wind. It could have fallen into a river that drains into the ocean. Improper disposal of trash is what causes plastic straws to end up in the ocean.”

Marquez explains that due to improper disposal, plastics and garbage usually end up interacting negatively with marine life. She explains multiple instances in which turtles and other animals mistake plastics for food, or get tangled up in plastic waste.

According to The Ocean Cleanup, once plastic straws along with plenty of other plastics are in the ocean, they are carried by currents and may begin to break down into smaller pieces, known as micro and meso plastics. Eventually, the piles of plastic build up in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an infamous example of one of these patches.

Plastic straws and the microplastics that derive from them are just one of the many plastics that end up floating through oceanological ecosystems.

Can individuals stop plastic pollution?

There is no doubt that plastic straws are harmful to ocean life. However, questions still remain about whether or not passing on something like a plastic straw can really make a difference. Marquez shares her insights on this nuanced idea.

“They’re [plastic straws] harmful of course, but their effect on sea life and turtles specifically is not the leading cause of injuries and death due to plastic pollution,” says Marquez.

Marquez also acknowledges that individuals often feel the wrath of greater society for their everyday decisions to use single-use plastics. However, blaming individuals is not always the answer.

“The blame is placed on the individual person instead of corporations when the topic of pollution comes into discussion. The average person is made to feel that their small choices are the cause of plastic pollution. The amount of plastic an individual will produce in their life is nothing compared to the amount of plastic a corporation will produce in a couple hours,” says Marquez.

Instead, she emphasizes the importance of holding lawmakers and corporations accountable for their actions and impacts on the environment. She explains that pairing individual plastic reduction with corporate plastic reduction is the only way to see real change.

What’s next for plastic straw alternatives?
As scientists and companies continue to look into their effects on the environment, the question of what’s the next alternative can arise.

Nowadays, plenty of companies have begun using alternatives to plastic or getting rid of straws altogether. Some of these alternative materials include paper, bamboo, metal, sugarcane, and more.

Overall, as an individual, continue to skip out on straws as you see fit, but encourage widespread change too. While small changes like opting for reusable or biodegradable straws may seem minor, they can contribute to a larger movement toward sustainability. With communal effort, we can help save our oceans and play a crucial role in protecting marine life and preserving our planet for future generations.