Researchers found low concentrations of so-called forever chemicals in various "eco-friendly" straws, raising doubts about whether they're an appropriate alternative.

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[–] 190 points 2 years ago (5 children)

Disposable products are gonna have problems to keep them cheap. The solution to straws is non-dispossble straws, always was.

Also this is still a silly topic, straws won't save the planet.

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  • [–] 89 points 2 years ago (16 children)

    Or stop using straws all together. Cups/lids can be made differently, so they are more like a sippy cup. You don’t NEED straws. Humans are totally capable of drinking directly from a cup, even without a special lid.

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  • [–] 44 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Single use bendy straws were literally invented to help keep bedbound and other disabled people alive.

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  • [–] 32 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    To be fair, drinks with ice in them are still miles easier to drink with a straw.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 years ago (6 children)

    No doubt. But something with a smaller hole in it, like the newer Starbucks (I’m sorry I hate using them as an example) cold cups works fine with ice too. Hell, something shaped like the top of a soda can would do it, no more difficult to make than the straw accepting lids, and then no straws.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    They’re not difficult to make, but they do require more plastic. Probably about the same amount of additional plastic as a straw, really. It’s funny to me when people only consider part of the equation and not the whole thing.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    As far as I’m concerned, plastic lids/cups should go away too. I’m simply pointing out that straws are useless, and if anyone cared enough, it would be pretty simple to resolve the straw issue.

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  • [–] 15 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Woah woah woah, will someone please think of the cocaine users?

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  • [–] 11 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Straws are an accessibility need for some humans, not everyone is actually physically capable of drinking directly from a cup.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    That’s fine, they can have their own non disposables for their own needs. We do NOT need to keep polluting the planet (yeah I know there are plenty of other ways we do it) with EVERYTHING being disposable.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    Single use bendy straws were literally invented to help keep bedbound and other disabled people alive. There are also many reasons people can't use different alternatives.

    You personally not using something, doesn't mean others don't, and to deny access to a literal lifeline for the sake of 0.003% of the plastics in the ocean (literally a drop in an ocean) because it makes you feel better and requires zero effort or sacrifice (from you), instead of actually acting to resolve the problem (like being anti-capitalist rather than just trying to apply band aids to its symptoms) is not only gross and ableist, but also a colossal counterproductive waste of time.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    My mother is up there in age, every time she drinks from a cup she ends up spilling it on herself. Im not saying she NEEDS straws, but it sure makes it easier on her.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

    I wouldn't say that nobody ever should use straws, but there are definitely a lot of people who use straws even when it's not necessary, like when they're just sitting in a restaurant eating.

    I can agree that having a straw is easier for takeaway eaten on the go or in the car too, for example.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (4 children)

    How are you going to drink bubble tea without a straw?

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    We really need to change the way that consumers consume things. People need to stop acting entitled to everything they want immediately and with every convenience available.

    Maybe people should start travelling around with their own straws. Have a craving for an iced coffee?? Well either bring your own metal/silicone reusable straw or deal with drinking straight from the cup. Be responsible and stop expecting corporations and government to solve every issue and maintain the lifestyle we have had the past few decades.

    Things need to change in order for the world to get better, and maintaining the same level of convenience and consumption is unfortunately not something that we can afford.

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