In the rush of a college week, cooking may be replaced with eating out, which often times means a lot of plastic waste. The biggest offender seems to be the straw, as it seems to appear even when dining in. Then it appears again on campus, bus stations, woods and beaches. Clean up programs run by non-profit organizations such as Take 3 name these straws as one of the most commonly found items. Their lifespan does not end ever so magically once we leave the table. In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is spreading awareness that these plastics degrade into minuscule pieces of microplastic, which are then swallowed by marine animals, and potentially inland animals although not mentioned. Animals may continue to be affected by a straw we use long past our own life. 

Okay, that may be true for straws used at restaurants, but on Grand Valley State University’s campus, we use guilt-free compostable … so it’s fine, right? Well, NOAA actually reports that “bio-based and truly biodegradable plastics break down in a compost pile or landfill, but are generally not designed to degrade as quickly in the ocean.” Although we are of course not near any ocean, Michigan is home to Great Lakes as well as over 11,000 inland lakes according to the Department of Natural Resources. GVSU happens to lie on the banks of the Grand River, Michigan’s longest river, which feeds into Lake Michigan. And if you remember middle school geography, the Great Lakes feed into one another then into the St. Lawrence River and ultimately into the Atlantic Ocean. Although a straw is unlikely to make that whole journey, it is important to be aware of the interconnectivity of the water system and how the accumulation of waste can have a larger environmental effect.

In addition to the issue of difficulty degrading in water, these compostable straws are still single use. Disposable culture is something that sustainability movements are trying to move away from. Non-profits like Straw Free are targeting plastic straws specifically. In order to make a significant environmental impact, we need big changes from organizations, businesses, and government, but individuals can start making a change within their circle of influence. This will still be influential, although in a small amount, because each action adds into the collective effect. Also, when one person acts through example, others may be encouraged as well.

The three main ways to individually attack the issue of plastic straw pollution are to refuse, replace or reduce. The best change is to say no to the straw entirely by asking servers for “no straw” when ordering drinks, though sometimes this request is forgotten, but that’s okay because it is a learning process to the goal of reduction. Some really feel a straw is necessary; in this case look for a reusable option from companies such as Glass Dharma and Life Without Plastic. The three most popular alternatives I have found are stainless steel, glass, and bamboo, which are all more durable and long lasting than plastic. For those of you who are reluctant or discouraged, consider making goals of reduction. Perhaps, only use straws for take out when afraid of car spillage or only for smoothies and milkshakes. The first step is simply to become conscious of the issue. After that, decide which, if any, action is right for you.