NAME : NI’MAHTUL LAILY

NIM : 210511100077
CLASS : 3C
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

THE IMPORTANCE OF USING STAINLESS STAWS

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

Plastic waste has become a classic problem for every country in the world. In the world,
Indonesia is the second largest contributor of plastic waste to the oceans. Reported by
kompas.com, KLHK data shows that around 93 million tons of plastic straw waste is produced
per year. From year to year, waste production is considered to be increasing. This of course,
requires the awareness of each individual. The community needs to see waste as a personal
responsibility, no longer the responsibility of local government alone. Changes in mindset and
behavior in reducing plastic waste can be started by small things. Therefore, there is a need for
innovation as well as solutions to reduce the high accumulation of plastic waste by changing the
use of plastic straws to iron straws. Some of the benefits that can be obtained from using
stainless steel straws include being environmentally friendly and safer to use.
The use of stainless steel straws is more environmentally friendly. In addition, plastic
straws can be used many times to avoid the negative impact of the accumulation of plastic waste,
which takes a long time to decompose. According to Divers Clean Action data, “environmental
groups, especially those at sea, say that the use of plastic straws in Indonesia has reached
93,244,947 sticks”. Plastic straws in the ocean cause damage to marine ecosystems, such as in
the case of turtles whose noses are caught in plastic straws (Tetalogi, 2015). Thus, the use of
stainless steel straws is very feasible to be applied in people’s daily lives.
Stainless steel straws are safer to use. These straws are free of the chemical Bisphenol A
(BPA). Please note, BPA is a chemical in plastics that can trigger health problems such as
impaired fertility, increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and even long-term health
problems such as cancer. According to Chief Nutritionist Priya Bharma, Sri Balaji Action
Medical Institute, “We sip our drinks through straw because it is simply easier. It has somehow
become our habit to use a straw while sipping cold or hot drink that is poured in a glass. It is
highly recommended not to use plastic straw as they are supposed to be made of polyethylene
compounds and contains harmful chemicals that enter your body and welcome many diseases
while we sip. “ Priya explained it to Food NDTV (12/02/18). Therefore, in order to avoid
harmful chemicals, the use of stainless steel straws is the right choice. It is very safe and does not
have a negative impact on health.
 In conclusion, the use of stainless steel straws has benefits such as being environmentally
friendly and safe to use.These straws are environmentally friendly because they can be used
many times to avoid the accumulation of plastic waste, which takes a long time to decompose
and can damage marine ecosystems. In addition, its use is very safe to use because it is free of
chemicals (BPA), so it avoids long-term health problems. Therefore, there is a need for
innovation as well as a solution to reduce the high accumulation of plastic waste by changing the
use of plastic straws to stainless steel straws. People need to see waste as a personal
responsibility, starting with themselves by implementing the use of stainless steel straws.
References

Safitri, Kiki. 2022. “No Title.” Kompas.Com. Retrieved September 11, 2022
(https://money.kompas.com/read/2022/03/07/123024426/indonesia-hasilkan-93-juta-ton-
sampah-sedotan-plastik-per-tahun-ekonomi?page=all).
Karyn, Nichola. 2021. “Sedotan Stainless Steel.” Kumparan.Com. Retrieved September 14,2022
(https://m.kumparan.com/nichola-karyn/sedang-tren-penggunaan-sedotan-stainless-steel-
patut-dicoba-di-era-millennial-1wVW3e8XA0Z).
Tetalogi. 2015. “Penyu.” Retrieved October 8, 2022 (https://www.boombastis.com/penyu-
tersangkut-sedotan/36749).
Rana, Sarika. 2018. “Stop Using Plastic Straws.” NDTV FOODS. Retrieved October 8,
2022(https://food.ndtv.com/health/sipping-on-your-favourite-beverages-with-plastic-
straws-you-must-stop-1811792?amp=1&akamai-rum=off).