#metalstraws

The Argument Against Metal Straws.

Metal straws have gained an increasing popularity in today's culture, and Logos is no exception, with some students using it daily. It appears as if this "saving the planet" movement has cemented its place in the modern world. Before you head out to buy a metal straw for yourself, though, let us ask this fundamental question: will this really help save the planet?

At first glance, metal straws do seem like a good replacement for plastic straws and a way to reduce plastic consumption. Metal straw users' most common argument is that unlike its plastic counterparts, metal straws are reusable and last longer. This is true. However, I would like to point out that it does not serve its purpose in "saving the planet".

In the modern world, straws are most commonly used to drink from a sealed container, such as bubble tea any other ordered beverages. Metal straw users tend to think that by ordering a drink without plastic straws, they can reduce plastic consumption. What they fail to realize, however, is that the plastics straws have already been made. Even if they do not use it, somebody else will. Regardless of whether or not it is used, once plastic straws are made, it stays forever because it is non-biodegradable. I strongly believe that even ordering a drink defeats the whole purpose of "saving the planet," since even the cups are made out of plastic.

It is also highly unlikely that beverage companies will change from plastic to something else. Plastic is cheap and sturdy, which gives them even less of an incentive to use other materials. This might sound cruel, but it is about choosing which is "less harmful". Yes, plastic pollution is bad, but it is much worse to waste other materials to "save the planet" and still not relieve the pollution problem. Making metal straws is not different from wasting yet another precious earth's resources. Metals should be used in much more efficient and valuable ways.

- GunWoo Jin (10/22/18)