“Paper straws as a good intention that reveals unintended consequences”

Advocating to change the way on how people should properly help the
environment
Name: Archileus C. Encio

Imagine a world where good intentions meet practical challenges. Today, let's dive into the
debate surrounding paper straws—a seemingly eco-friendly alternative that, upon closer
inspection, reveals its limitations and unintended consequences. Greetings everyone! I’ am
Archileus Encio, who stand against different kind of straws.

“The use of paper straws as a bad decision: being a non-effective way to contribute to the
environment” These ‘eco-friendly’ plant-based straws are not necessarily a more sustainable
alternative to plastic straws concluded by a research team based at Belgium’s University of
Antwerp. Straws examined by the researchers were largely found to be with per-and
polyfluoroalkyl substances or (PFAS).

Ever found yourself sipping on a beverage, only to be interrupted by a disintegrating paper

straw? Paper straws always take stands in the talks of people who has been in cafés for not
serving its proper purpose throughout its use. The well-intentioned eco-friendly alternative,
while admirable, faces a concrete challenge: evidence suggests that the swift breakdown of
paper straws during use not only hinders the drinking experience but also raises concerns about
their practical use. The propensity of paper straws to become mushy and collapse within
minutes of use poses a significant drawback. Numerous studies have shown that they may not
withstand the duration of typical beverage consumption, leading to a less effective and
potentially unhygienic alternative compared to more durable materials. It's worth nothing that
much like plastic straws, paper straws typically can't be recycled, they also break down too
much when they hit liquid, In accords to the UK government that also concluded that paper
straws emit more greenhouse gases when they rot in landfill compared with plastic.

Have you ever considered paper straws as a more effective way of helping the environment?
Well, isn’t it the best of a choice to just not use straws to drink? Taking a firm stand, one might
argue that the widespread adoption of paper straws, while aiming for environmental benefit,
often leads to unintended consequences and inconveniences, questioning their true
sustainability. As it turns out, some of those efforts to save the environment may have been in
vain. This second reason states that a new study shows that in the journal Food Additives and
Contaminants, found evidence of “forever chemical” PFAS in the majority of both paper and
bamboo straws tested. Unfortunately, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR) states that PFAS’ can lead to: Increased cholesterol levels, Changes in liver enzymes,
increase risk of high blood pressure, Increase risk of kidney disease or testicular cancer, and etc.

Contrary to the critique of paper straws, a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
highlights their positive impact on reducing plastic pollution. The evidence suggests that
widespread adoption of paper straws has contributed significantly to lowering the
environmental footprint associated with plastic waste, aligning with global efforts to mitigate
the detrimental effects of single-use plastics on our ecosystems.

In reconsidering our stance on straws, it becomes evident that they are not essential for the
drinking experience. Let's embrace a sustainable lifestyle by acknowledging that straws,
including paper ones, are dispensable. As we navigate the path towards environmental
responsibility, a simple yet impactful call to action is to reevaluate the necessity of straws in our
daily lives, fostering a collective effort to reduce unnecessary waste.

References:
USA TODAY (2023) https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/28/paper-straws-
worse-than-plastic-pfas-study/70702090007/#
BBC NEWS (2023) https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231103-plastic-or-paper-the-truth-
about-drinking-straws
INFORMA UK LIMITED (2023)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19440049.2023.2240908
NATIONAL POST MEDIA (2023) https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/paper-straws-bad-for-
environment/wcm/77ea5889-179a-4c8f-9dec-f5af3981e8cd/amp/