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Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

nytimes.com

191–197 of 197 posts

Re: Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

#191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Restaurants already have requirements around those with special needs (including those with babies), requiring them to have a few washable stainless steel straws on hand is not much to ask. Granted, there may be slip-ups, those should be reported.

The problem is that some of the people with limited mobility also have limited ability not to chew on the straw (they can't control their jaws well enough). You chew on a plastic straw, that is not an issue. You bit down on steel... Those people btw are the ones who most need them, because they typically also have too limited mobility to drink from a cup.

That makes sense. I'm not going to say it should be dismissed due to its relative low incidence, but there has to be a better solution than a straw free for all everywhere.

Re: Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

#192
post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried paper straws a couple of times at A&W and it wasn't that bad. Granted, it was a cold drink, which could perhaps be problematic with hot drinks, but beside a texture difference, I found the paper straw to be an acceptable replacement.

They were probably coated with wax, which make them... non-recyclable.

I'm pretty sure platic straws are not being recycled. Paper straws are at least more sustainable.

Re: Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

#193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> People just don't get how callous same cultures are about the environment; it cannot be believed until it's been experienced since it's so far outside of the wealthy Westerner's experience If Mad Men [0] is to be believed, there was plenty of littering in the US in the 1960s.[1] It took many public awareness campaigns by government and private industry, in a country far richer with nearly universal literacy, over m…

There was littering, yes. But in 1959 America you generally wouldn't see: -Mothers supervising their kids as they defecate on a city sidewalk, or in the garbage bin in a busy train station. -Dead mules left rotting and bloated in the sun for days right beside busy streets, with drinking water flowing nearby. -Restaurant owners throwing garbage out the front door of their establishment onto the street right in front o…

> Only once you actually go outside your bubble can you understand that humans can do so much worse

I'm well aware of that. I grew up in India. I'm just asking you to place this behavior in the context of the prosperity and levels of education in the places where it happens. America, for all its advantages in material and human development, did not develop an anti-littering culture until very recently.

Re: Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

#194

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that some of the people with limited mobility also have limited ability not to chew on the straw (they can't control their jaws well enough). You chew on a plastic straw, that is not an issue. You bit down on steel... Those people btw are the ones who most need them, because they typically also have too limited mobility to drink from a cup.

That makes sense. I'm not going to say it should be dismissed due to its relative low incidence, but there has to be a better solution than a straw free for all everywhere.

Well the solution is actually simple, just charge a deposit, then they will be reused.

Re: Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

#195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fabric bags are worse for the environment than plastic bags, so they cost more, because of the process to make them.

Except I use them hundreds to thousands of times, they carry twice as much and they don't break.

Do you wash them?

Re: Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

#196
post #151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think regulators are overreacting - its a feel good PR move. I require straws and paper straws are total garbage. It's an insult. And no, I am not going to carry a straw in my pocket.

> I require straws and paper straws are total garbage. It's an insult. I didn't know the honourable member of the HN community was so sensitive. That they was in any sense a delicate flower. That they was capable of being a quickly and severely injured soul. If that's indeed the case then I am sorry.

Some people with physical limitations do require straws in order to drink anything. I don't think mocking the disabled is appropriate.

Re: Canada Plans to Ban Single-Use Plastics, Joining Growing Global Movement

#197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except I use them hundreds to thousands of times, they carry twice as much and they don't break.

Do you wash them?

Honestly no never thought to bother. They're just holding already packaged merchandise.

One day when I can show up with containers and load up on goods without all the custom packaging, that'll be a different story.

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