the war on straws 

i see paper straws a nothing but corporate pandering to give the illusion of being green. if my cup and lid are plastic, the shirt i’m wearing and the uniform the employee is wearing are both made of microplastic, and the silverware i get for my food is plastic, a paper straw is nothing but an inconvenience

Ah yes, let these celebrities use their private jets for 2 seconds while us peasants use paper straws to combat all the environmental damage 🫠

The most environmentally friendly straw is NO STRAW I'm a material science major, and this debate is such a pet peeve of mine. If you look at the life cycle assessment of metal and plastic straws, metal straws generally have far higher emissions. It takes a LOT of energy to extract ore, process it, ship it all over the globe, etc. So I guess technically if you reuse your metal straw like a crazy crazy crazy amount, maybe one day you would break even on an emissions scale, but in the real world you'll probably just lose it before the day comes. So just sip ur beverage instead, save the material across the board. Of course this is all just placing blame on consumers and practically speaking won't make a dent in current environmental crisises, just more big companies blaming individuals for systemic issues yay 🙄

Paper straws with plastic cups... what are we saving? am I missing something. Let's suffer for real, paper straws and paper cups for all. We deserve nothing less.

Disabled people sometimes need straws! Just putting it into the conversation

Love it! Would also add that single use poseable plastic straws are sometimes life and death for disabled people, not increased just quality of life and added independence, I’ve tried all sorts of different straws and drinking accesability tools, but can’t take in liquids without them , especially dangerous now that hospitals in the uk are banning them, I became severely dehydrated last time in hospital because of it. thanks for making the video, really liked learning about the history 💜

an important part of this conversation is the necessity of plastic straws for many disabled people to intake fluids and sometimes food. metal and glass straws are an injury risk. paper and cellulose straws dissolve and can be a choking hazard. we need plastic straws. without them, we would asphyxiate fluid into our lungs and get very very sick, often with pneumonia, sometimes causing death. this is what happened to us frequently before straws. our access needs are not what is destroying the planet: 7 big corporations are

I’m from Canada BC and we have plastic straws and bags banned here. Although I appreciate doing just a bit more for the environment, it’s so ableist when the government and corporations don’t provide proper alternatives or exceptions. When I order groceries home, the person delivering them for me has to figure out how to get it to me without plastic bags and some just end up buying tote bags out of their own pocket for me. Of course I feel bad and I also just don’t need to accumulate tote bags so I try to avoid ordering groceries now but then I go weeks without groceries because I don’t have the time, energy, and mental preparation for going out to get groceries myself. That’s just me but what about people with more crippling mental health problems or are immuno-compromised and can’t risk going out during a pandemic or are physically disabled? And why should these low income people we pay to pick up our groceries be the ones to compensate the lack of consideration by buying totes? There’s such a big issue with tackling the climate crisis by making us everyday people have to work around things we do for basic necessity or just to be able live and do things comfortably (like using straws that won’t dissolve into your drink or using AC and gas) while still not penalizing the super rich who actually destroy the environment for profit.

Another aspect of the problem is that most localities have really bad recycling infrastructure, so even if you do everything right - sort your plastics, put them in a special bin, etc. - most municipalities will just dump them in with trash anyway. The solution is both building up local recycling capacity, phasing out the use of gas for heating and cooking, and greening local energy grids. Also: maybe tax and police billionaires and billion dollar companies who make up the majority of the pollution.

Was coincidentally having a convo with my friends about this yesterday. We all want to help and do better but it’s nearly impossible to avoid plastic packaging. And it’s up to corporations to change, which means it won’t happen.

Imagine if we simply made companies accountable for waste products they produce.

Really needed this video!! Great work!! Also my face was paralyzed on one side for many months and the only way I could drink was with a plastic straw. The other ones needed to much strength to suck the liquids up. I really feel there should be an exception for people with a disability.

I loved this video! I feel annoying for saying this, but I’m going to say it anyway- I’m squeamish and a content warning for blood would’ve been appreciated. Otherwise, I always appreciate the level of research and heart in your videos. Best wishes!

you should have titled the vid straw wars

I really love the straw movement cause it has led to a single use plastic ban in my state! In West Australia there is now a full ban on single use plastics, and any major supermarket that has single use plastic packaging has to supply a way to recycle them. It's still not yet a perfect system, it's still in the first stage of implementation.. But AWARENESS of single use plastics in any capacity has led directly to people wanting action on it with our government taking action to then legislate it.

I didnt realize people felt so strongly about paper straws. I thought they only used those for aesthetic purposes in the Hershey's chocolate milk commercials lol .

The most common trash found on beaches and in waterways is cigarette butts, which also contain plastic. Cigarette bans would go a lot farther than straw bans in terms of reducing the amount of plastic ending up in the ocean.

In Europe we also have paper cups and lids I haven't used a plastic straw in years and it was never a problem, maybe at the start because they were low quality but at this point it's really not that bad. Paper straws are just a small wake up call to single use plastic. But I do realise that Americans probably consume much more on the go drinks so it might affect them more.

THE WES ANDERSON TRANSITIONS MAKE MY HEART WARM THANK YOU

I'm an avid mountain biker and a staple of the trait is to bring your own, and plenty of, water on a ride. Some pros prefer water bladders in backpacks but I've long used a simple durable 100% recycled plastic bottle with a little handle. So I'm happy to see the proliferation of similar, and perhaps more stylish, drinking containers in the hands of an increasing number of folks in the city. Maybe this drinking-straw argument is actually a straw-man argument and we should much rather argue against to-go drinks in general and for the to be widely adopted bringing of home-sourced liquids in reusable containers instead.

I have been thinking that the most significant change that could help with the single use plastic problem would be if any of the big soda companies brought back the glass bottles with the collection and reuse programs. I’m sure the more climate conscious consumers could pay the increased cost, or worst case the corporation’s favorite strategy: government subsidy could pay for it. Considering this was already done in the past it is achievable just not as profitable. The main tradeoff would be the water to clean the glass bottles and any fuel used to transport them in the collection process. But water is at least a renewable resource and I trust scientists to figure that out faster than all the plastic recycling/disposal problems.

some people need straws... my younger brother can't drink anything but water without a straw. He isn't THAT young, but it's a sensory issue. It really saddens me that people take away resources from disabled people just because others make a bad use out of them... Good video as usual

Try to open Capri-sun with paper straw. Nightmare.

This is a true masterpiece. Everyone needs to watch this. Thank you Amanda

This was such a great discussion! I had a similar conversation with my friend like what can I do, should I start considering an EV. He told me look if corporations who are the main polluter aren't going to change, you driving that EV isn't going to save the world. We need large scale change and right now we are in a situation where the consumer is made to feel bad/bare the brunt of the responsibility for solving the climate crisis. Not enough attention is given to the role that large corporations play in excerbating this crisis in the name of greed and profit. Great points - but a depressing realization at the end there.

i'm a marine bio major and oh my god i hear nonstop about 'saving the turtles ditch the straws!' like ENOUGH. not to mention how these paper straws will end in landfills and decompose anaerobically and produce GHGs, contributing to ocean warming and acidification which affects the turtles (and the whole ocean! and us!)

i loved this! when I saw the notification I was super stoked that you covered a subject like this, rather different from your other videos. This suited you well and I would love to see you do more different types of subjects, along with the fields you usually explore. Hope this blows up! Love to see a girl who can just do it alllll

Love the comprehensive deep dive into straw history and politics! Did I ever think I'd type a sentence like that? No. But I'm happy I did.

can anyone explain to me why recyclable, single-use aluminium straws don't exist? aluminium cans are safe to drink out of, so straws should be fine right? aluminium is also infinitely recyclable and actually profitable to recycle, unlike plastic. There must be a reason, right?

great job, Amanda 👏👏👏

"Those spineless cylinders could not withstand the ZEAL with which I consumed my smoothies" This is my favorite line ever

Yes, I hate getting paper straws when the straws themselves destroy when drinking anything! Subbed after watching your selling sunset video and this video has great points about why paper straws don't work.

The way I whole heartedly felt that freshman Jamba Juice anecdote 😩

I really love this video essay.

Here is a video garnering a history about straws that I never thought I'd learn, yet here I am. Thank you for this

I love this essay. The paper straw struggle at Jamba Juice is quite relatable.

These laws are just blaming the masses for the issues that are caused by corporations. What really needs to be done to go green is to just eliminate these single use plastics entirely, but this is incompatible with the way fast food and pretty much everything works, so I don't see it happening. At my local health food store, I can get nuts and other small treats by weight and they sell reusable containers to store them (and other foods) in. I think in the future, if more systems worked like that, it would eliminate a lot of waste.

just pointing out that plastic straws are a disability aid and some people need them to live

New Sub. Currently binging!

The problem with plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic straws is that their movement and look may resemble jellyfish and that is why sea turtles end up eating them (since jellyfish are an important part of these turtles diets). So yeah is a specific problem but a big one still

Businesses should try agave straws. They're amazing!

I've seen companies start to do 'sippy cup' style plastic lids so you don't need a straw. Still not sure how this is any better.

Yes! Yes, they are! OK, I’ll go watch the video now.

sometimes i stare into amandas eyes as im watching her video and i get lost to what she is saying i just stare into her eyes 😲😲😞😞😖😖

Straws don’t make a difference. The problem in our oceans are dumped fishing lines, netting, fishing gear. To make any dent to this problem we would have to stop eating seafood. People will eat seafood and feel good about being a pescatarian but judge using plastic straw 🤷🏽

I think the most pernicious thing about straw bans (and similar measures) are that they fundamentally miscategorize the nature of environmental challenges. Banning straws is an easy process which reduces quality of life (i.e. a sacrifice). The pressing environmental challenges of our time are difficult projects that will increase quality of life*. Sustainable agriculture, housing justice, renewable energy, de-roading our cities (car-centric development) and supply chains (trucking and truck-based warehousing), de-commodification of our food system, etc etc etc The theatricality of addressing marginal environmental issues (like straws) will only hurt the movement in the long run. Much like the sanitation theatre of wiping down surfaces twice a day gave people the confidence they needed to go out and catch COVID at a hair salon, the environmental theatre of banning plastic straws and driving electric cars gives people the assurance they need to not address deeper issues. Making people "feel like they've done a lot" when they've done essentially nothing is not a good thing. *may reduce quality of life for the capitalist classes

Got to admit that intro got me dying💀

I had to do a paper on k-cups. Those things are way worse than straws!

Why am I getting ASMR satisfaction from this??💆🏾‍♀️

😅 that quote though!

I wonder if there's a way for governments or huge corporations to offer rewards/incentives to those households/individuals that are able to collect plastic/glass/reusable bottles (instead of throwing them away).

I use glass straws at home and a metal straw at work. That being said paper straws are gross. My sensitive teeth and I will rather just not get something to drink if it's a paper straw.

Hey, so i watched the entire video. And like others have mentioned; people with disabilities need them. You did mention it, vaguely, but definetly not deeply enough. It should've been an entire chapter by itself. I'm currently tearing up a bit so forgive the emotionality- but i know people who literally started to bleed from metal straws. I know people who are allergic to many of the other options too. Plastic straws are the best option for people with disability, and it hurts me everytime that we do not get properly seen by others in this conversation. It's ignorant.

paper straws are also a TERRIBLE sensory experience for people with sensory issues

Yes it’s so frustrating, I just carry around reusable ones

This Quaquan. Everybody keep telling me I look like a mixture of Al Roker & Flavor Flav. What should I do? What's your advice?

I find the demonisation of plastic really irritating, like yes single use plastics aren't great but there are so many things just as bad for the environment. if we replace all plastics we could severely increase transport emissions and the production of reusable alternatives can have a bigger impact than the production of vast quantities of single use plastics plastic was originally considered a miracle material and I think in some cases it still should

I was hoping you were going to say "it is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole"

Yes yes yes to all of this

If people are worried about straws, they should only use them for drinks that *need* one like blended drinks, or get a reusable straw. Paper straws are not the answer 😂 -a barista

I actually don’t mind paper straws, but I usually just go without a straw unless it’s a smoothie. I actually kinda find them more pleasant then plastic straws. But I’m not at all sold on straws being like the thing that’s killing the planet. Like the lid that I’m punching the straw into is still plastic XD

thats cool and all but you have your microphone backwards in the video

Missed the chance to call the video Straw Wars :((

My boyfriend says straws are “feminine” so won’t use them ☹️ also I love hard pasta straws!

If I see one more damn paper straw....

have americans only just got paper straws or something? we’ve had them in the uk for year but the discourse seems to be reigniting

Genuine question: you talked about how plastic straws slip through the recycling process. Aren’t plastic straws not recyclable at all?

We have identical radicalization paths

hmmmmmm a paper straw but a plastic cup🤔

No matter how many paper straws u use. It won't counter act all the car batteries I've thrown in the ocean

i personally use a metal straw but most of the time i don’t need a straw so i don’t use them at all

Using a paper straw is almost more wasteful than the plastic ones because they disintegrate fairly fast so you have to use multiple and they don’t last very long to justify the work to create them. That’s not to say I don’t find plastic straws a problem. No straw is the best option unless a straw is necessary.

Friendly reminder: you can always use metal straws from your home or just drink your beverage without them

What is happening to Jamba juice in NY?? You can watch them put the fruit in the blender in Cali. 😂😂

I brought metal straws on amazon

Why not just drink without any of it

love my metal one

“Making money is a common sense. It’s not rocket science. But unfortunately, when it comes to money, common sense is uncommon.” Robert Kiyosaki,,,,

I really don’t get the need for straws other than for people with disabilities. Plastic straws shouldn’t be banned because some people really need them but just don’t give them with every drink you order…

Everyone should have metal straws, ideally.

The bullshit people think about these days ..........and we wonder WHY we cant function very well in life .

🤣What am I watching? And why does it make sense?

Honestly to me the funniest part of all of this is that people are seriously out there acting like they could never live a life WITHOUT straws at all, like they wouldn't know how to drink beverages without them ?? Straws are nothing more than a modern convenience lol, they are not necessary ! I bought stainless steel straws when everyone was buying them and honestly I pretty much never use them haha. Also you're not saving the world by using a paper/reusable straw, there are more useful things to do like adopting a vegetarian/flexitarian diet (I agree that veganism is more complicated, though not impossible) or using public transports if you have access to them etc ! we're so quick to BUY reusable things (which is still engaging in this destructive capitalist system) because it makes us feel better but when it comes to slightly changing our unsustainable habits in a way that could actually make a difference it's like nope, not doing that lol

Wow what in theee world who thought of a paper straw? I rather just use stainless steel straws

I don't get this issue, if you don't want placstik straws then just don't use straws we don't need to cut extra trees for a product that has no reason to exist

Ohh, we don't have other problems in this world.. It's a shame that this individuals tell us about their struggle in this world. Ohh, paper straws.. Most of good paper straws survive days in coca cola.. But hey.. You needed shitty content. You got it, girl.

It always comes down to capitalism

There are better solutions, but capitalism

I just use metal and silicone straws; while leaving plastic straws for disabled people. Problem solved.

I've been using metal straws for a long time now. It's very easy to use and life.🧍‍♂️