Live data from Hacker News

Coffee Cups Are Next

bloomberg.com

21–30 of 447 posts

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s wrong with paper (or biodegradable plastic) straws, besides costing an extra penny or whatever?

In order to remain impermeable during exposure to liquid, wouldn’t a paper straw have to have some kind of coating? If that coating is plastic, then it would be no solution to the problem for which plastic straws have been criticized: microplastic pollution in the environment. If the coating is wax, the Wikipedia article for wax paper[0] suggests that there are often environmental issues. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org…

Floridan here. All coastal bars/restaurants must have paper straws.

Generally, they're single drink use. You might get a second glass worth if you drink fast.

I don't really notice a wax on them. If they happen to have any.... they might as well not bother.

I'm a born/raised Floridian, so I grew up on all the propaganda about ocean life getting tortured by soda rings, straws and other garbage. One of my transplant friends threw away some some soda rings without snipping them. I lectured/yelled at them for a good 15 minutes and showed them pictures of animals who got caught in the rings.

We give a shit about sea turtles and no one complains about paper straws out of fear of being stabbed to death by Florida man as he protects the sea life.

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#22

First they came for plastic bags. Then they came for straws. Coffee cups are next. Straws are a hot button topic in disabled circles.

What’s wrong with paper (or biodegradable plastic) straws, besides costing an extra penny or whatever?

The ones I've had in SF were awful. They simply don't work.

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If someone has a serious medical reason to need a particular kind of straw, it seems like restaurants could carry a few to provide on request (any legal ban could figure out some exception for this case), or the person could carry their own straw around.

Maybe you are familiar with Spoon Theory? Disabled people who are up in arms about straws typically argue that it's yet one more burden on them when they have too many as is. I'm not well versed on the straws issues. But let's talk about the California bag ban for a minute. I've lived without a car for over a decade. I also have a compromised immune system. Disposable plastic bags are cleaner than reusable shopping b…

I pretty much only make grocery trips on foot. At least for this pedestrian, both reusable canvas bags and disposable paper bags work just fine for bringing groceries home. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who decided to always drive to the market instead of walking because of the plastic bag ban. If I need to lug home more than I can carry in two hands, dragging a wagon works pretty well.

I re-use paper grocery bags as bags for recycling and compost. We get plenty of plastic bags to use for the trash bin from random other sources, but if we ever ran out, they cost a few cents each if you buy a box.

Growing up in Mexico, we carried groceries home (a mile away and over a hill) from the market in baskets or sometimes backpacks, which was quite a bit less convenient than paper bags from a grocery store. I’m not sure why we didn’t use canvas tote bags.

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#24

First they came for plastic bags. Then they came for straws. Coffee cups are next. Straws are a hot button topic in disabled circles.

This is a silly argument. Businesses have to accommodate people with disabilities now. Stocking a few straws is just one more thing. What's wrong with asking for a straw at the store or carrying a few to use if you need them?

There's no reason why the ban can't be put in place there are alternative methods that can be put in place that will meet needs.

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#26

First they came for plastic bags. Then they came for straws. Coffee cups are next. Straws are a hot button topic in disabled circles.

What’s wrong with paper (or biodegradable plastic) straws, besides costing an extra penny or whatever?

Why is paper the first choice? The obvious choice I think is something that doesn't need to go to the garbage immediately but something re-usable such as metal straws or wood straws.

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#27
So why can't we spend all this money we're wasting debating what plastic stuff to ban figuring out how to recycle these things instead? (or down-cycle, plastic contaminated paper pulp from cups seems like a natural fit for filter media)

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If someone has a serious medical reason to need a particular kind of straw, it seems like restaurants could carry a few to provide on request (any legal ban could figure out some exception for this case), or the person could carry their own straw around.

Maybe you are familiar with Spoon Theory? Disabled people who are up in arms about straws typically argue that it's yet one more burden on them when they have too many as is. I'm not well versed on the straws issues. But let's talk about the California bag ban for a minute. I've lived without a car for over a decade. I also have a compromised immune system. Disposable plastic bags are cleaner than reusable shopping b…

Speaking of the bag tax:

As someone who picks up groceries every week on a bike, a canvas bag is the way to go, purely from a practical, selfish standpoint; if you've ever carried home groceries, you know that plastic bags are probably the worst way to do it. They are hard to handle, prone to tears, and generally unreliable. On the other hand, a large canvas backpack or bag won't tear, can be used plenty of times, and generally works much better.

That plastic ban bag is a good thing -- if you want the convenience of a one time use bag, you should pay for it.

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If someone has a serious medical reason to need a particular kind of straw, it seems like restaurants could carry a few to provide on request (any legal ban could figure out some exception for this case), or the person could carry their own straw around.

Maybe you are familiar with Spoon Theory? Disabled people who are up in arms about straws typically argue that it's yet one more burden on them when they have too many as is. I'm not well versed on the straws issues. But let's talk about the California bag ban for a minute. I've lived without a car for over a decade. I also have a compromised immune system. Disposable plastic bags are cleaner than reusable shopping b…

Rare allergies are pretty much destined to be yet one more burden, no matter how hard we wish that wasn't the case. It's just not feasible to make everything out of materials that won't trigger rare allergies.

One group got lucky with allergies when it comes to one item out of millions. That's not a good reason to lock down the composition forever.

We should help them to compensate for the trouble, but the most effective way is to do it directly. It's possible to use less effort to make them come out ahead, while still keeping the overall benefits from the material switch.

Re: Coffee Cups Are Next

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If someone has a serious medical reason to need a particular kind of straw, it seems like restaurants could carry a few to provide on request (any legal ban could figure out some exception for this case), or the person could carry their own straw around.

Maybe you are familiar with Spoon Theory? Disabled people who are up in arms about straws typically argue that it's yet one more burden on them when they have too many as is. I'm not well versed on the straws issues. But let's talk about the California bag ban for a minute. I've lived without a car for over a decade. I also have a compromised immune system. Disposable plastic bags are cleaner than reusable shopping b…

I'm not convinced it's based on people having cars, simply because the bag taxes and bans seemed to emerge first in New York, SF and other cities where lots of people don't have cars and shop at corner stores.
Post reply on HN