IGCSE Global Perspectives Individual Research Report

Topic: Sustainable Living

Straw Wars: Is switching from plastic to paper straws the sustainable choice?

Is transitioning from plastic to paper straws the optimal eco-friendly choice?

In my experience, paper straws often disintegrate in my drink, making them ineffective.
Therefore, I'm curious to see if this change is justified. Considering the outcomes of paper
straws, it is essential to explore other straw options. People ignore that paper straws have
their own environmental, practical, health1 and societal2 impacts. Was the switch made
sincerely to help the feeble sea turtle,3 or was it made because most people could get away
with not using them? Given that plastic straws account for less than 1% of the eight million
tonnes of plastic in oceans globally,4 indicating their minimal usage, it raises questions about
the sincerity of the switch.

Why did we switch?

The paper straw movement was spurred by a viral video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw
stuck in its nose, which amassed over 100 million views on YouTube in 2015. While on a
small boat in Costa Rica, PhD student Christine Figgener discovered an olive ridley turtle
with a plastic straw up its nose. She and her colleagues recorded a video of the uncomfortable
process of removing the straw from the turtle’s nostril with pliers while blood dripped from
its nose.

Figgener, C. (2015). Turtle has a plastic straw removed using pliers. (Costa Rica).

Following that, hotel chains, airlines, cruise lines, supermarkets, and amusement parks
worldwide have eliminated plastic straws.5 Teen activists established National Skip the Straw
Day, observed every fourth Friday in February.6 Additionally, the European Union prohibited
ten types of disposable plastics, including single-use straws.7

In truth, plastic straws harm marine and human health. Plastic is not biodegradable and the
straws are too small for machines to pick up so they end up in landfills and eventually
oceans.8 Plastic can take anywhere between 20-500 years to decompose. Even with that, it
doesn't break down, it just gets smaller. Sea animals ingest these tiny microplastics. 9 As a
result, we ingest them in our seafood.

Paper Straws Are Inept in Ghana

With global opposition to plastic straws, paper straws had to appease public concerns. From
Ghana’s perspective, however, paper straws are a vain solution to a small part of the big
picture. In Ghana, the primary issues from plastic waste occur when larger pieces, such as
plastic bags or bottles, obstruct our drainage systems, leading to floods,10 and when plastic
debris is littered on the streets.11 Paper straws do nothing to diffuse these issues in my
country.

Donkor, E. (2023). Choked gutter with plastic bottles and landfill site at Effiakuma New Site
-Takoradi.
Bigger Plastic Issues in Coastal Ghana

Ghana contributes 1-3% of global ocean debris, but it's water sachets and food packs, not
straws, that harm marine creatures and fishing. The fisheries that are sources of income, food
and cultural identity in coastal communities in Ghana have seen declines due to the problem
of plastic pollution.12 How should the local fishermen provide for their families with a
superficial solution which is the paper straw? Isaac Quaye, an artisanal fisherman has said
that he is crestfallen when they fish hauls of plastic.13 How do paper straws fix this?

United Nations Environment Programme. (UNEP). (n.d.). Disheartened fishermen holding

plastic-dominated fish catch.

Consequences of Paper Straw Switch on the Environment

Supposing plastic straws were eradicated worldwide, the impact on ocean plastic pollution
would still be minimal. National Geographic reports plastic straws make up only 0.025% of
the eight million tons of plastic entering oceans yearly. Eliminating them barely makes a dent
in the plastic pollution crisis.

Even if paper straws managed to cut down on plastic waste, which they barely do, they still
would not be a sustainable solution since they are still disposable straws.
Paper, although biodegradable, demands significant time and energy. The pulp and paper
sector ranks among the world's top five most energy-intensive industries and is the fourth
largest industrial energy consumer.14 Paper straw production fuels deforestation, hastening
the destruction of vital ecosystems and accelerating climate change. Paper straws embark on
a journey involving cutting trees, shipping, pulping, shaping, and delivery. At each stage,
energy and water are devoured. Despite their eco-friendly reputation, paper straws cast a
colossal shadow, especially considering their fleeting existence, as mere minutes mark their
disposal.

Consequences of Paper Straw Switch on Society

The most socially influential consequence of paper straws is how they tarnish the perception
of eco-friendly products. Paper straws disappoint on multiple fronts. Intended as an eco-
friendly replacement for a functional product, yet they fail on both counts. This makes people
less likely to pick eco-friendly options.

The fast-food giant McDonald's has faced backlash from disgruntled paper straw users. Over
35,000 signatures have been collected on an online petition urging McDonald's to reintroduce
plastic straws in 2019. 15
People also took to Twitter to outlet their frustrations. “Stupid idea,”16 “dumbest thing”17 and
“bane of my existence”18 were some of the nicer things people had to say about paper straws.
Turning to TikTok to gauge opinions on paper straws, I came across one person who
described them as 'a race against the clock.'19 In the video, the paper straw was visibly
disfigured, adding to the dissatisfaction. This shows the dominant global perspective is that
paper straws are incompetent.

Nomaly, A. Disfigured paper straw in drink. (2024).

Discrimination against the disabled.
Paper straws serve purposes beyond sipping milkshakes or soda. While able-bodied
individuals may find it easy to go without paper straws, what about disabled people?
Environmental activists have coined the term "eco-ableism" to highlight discrimination faced
by disabled and neurodivergent individuals.20 Paper straws exemplify eco-ableism.
Consider Penny Pepper's situation: an avid environmental activist facing a profound
dilemma. She's deeply committed to environmental causes, yet she grapples with criticism
when she relies on plastic straws for her medical needs. For Penny, plastic straws aren't a
luxury but a necessity: “I’m disabled – I have no choice.” Unlike paper straws, plastic straws
bend to accommodate her, are wide enough for her medication, and withstand different
temperatures. However, using them often earns her unfair labels of environmental
indifference.21
It is important to recognize that plastic straws serve crucial medical functions. Consider
patients who rely on them for medication intake. Consider also those facing dysphagia
(difficulty swallowing) challenges due to neurological, gastrointestinal, or cancer-related
issues.22 Paper straws are unsuitable for such fragile patients, who cannot be asked to
sacrifice their well-being for a superficial eco solution pushed by able-bodied individuals.
Solutions
Substituting plastic straws with alternatives like glass or metal is often favoured for their
durability and reusability. However, the environmental consequences of these choices are
overlooked.
Photograph by Rebacca Hale.

Research by Engineering 308 Technology and the Environment in partnership with the
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Sustainability Office during Fall 2018
uncovered significant disparities compared to plastic straws.
Fig. 1: Comparison of Energy Consumption, CO₂ emissions and cost of plastic straws to
other straw materials.23
Fig. 2: Energy Consumption for Producing a Single Straw by Material. 24

Fig. 3: CO₂ emissions for Producing a Single Straw by Material.25

Fig 4: Cost of a Single Straw by Material.26

Fig. 5: Approximate Number of Reuses Needed to Compensate for Energy Consumption and
Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Straw Material. 27

To balance out the energy and carbon dioxide emissions produced by stainless steel, glass, or
bamboo straws, it's crucial to prioritize extensive reuse. The solution is not what you use, it's
for how long you use it for. You should use the same steel straw, cotton tote bag, or plastic
bag for years; till you die.28 You should eradicate all single-use plastic items in your lifestyle.
Evaluation of Sources
At first, I was sceptical about whether the famous video of the turtle with a straw in its nose
was the cause of the plastic straw revolt. However, I sought more official and valid sources,
such as Business Insider,29 a multinational news outlet and National Geographic,30 a globally
recognised organisation. Both sources confirm that Christine Figgener’s video catalysed the
plastic straw ban.

I later learned that Figgener wasn't the first to ignite action against plastic straws. In February
2011, nine-year-old Milo Cress began a campaign called “Be Straw Free.”31 Milo's
movement started modestly, with just one restaurant in Vermont joining his cause. However,
his idea caught on, and soon establishments in Vermont, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, and even
some in Malaysia, Canada, and South Korea were spreading the message of going straw-
free.32 Milo's impact was smaller than Figgener's but still contributed to the plastic straw
revolt.

Another aspect I needed clarification on was the comparison of energy consumption and
carbon dioxide emissions of different straw materials. This information stemmed from a
research project conducted by Engineering 308: Technology and the Environment, a course
taught at California State Polytechnic University.33 Hence, it should be highly credible. Any
lingering doubts were dispelled when the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) had similar
figures, some even matching the exact numbers I had.34BBC is a national news site, known
for its reliance on reputable sources and wouldn't utilise flimsy information.

I used national newspapers and renowned science organisations for the rest of my sources. To
gauge public opinion on paper straw practicality, I used social media. This includes diverse
opinions from people worldwide.

Conclusion

Switching from plastic to paper straws isn't sustainable. They're disposed of in minutes and
are more harmful to the environment than plastic. They offer only a superficial solution to
plastic pollution pushed by able-bodied people who can get away without using them,
neglecting the needs of patients and disabled individuals who need plastic straws to swallow
drinks or medication.35 Moreover, paper straws tarnish the reputation of eco-friendly products
due to their soggy drinking experience and discourage future sustainability efforts from
people.

We should prioritise exploring alternative straw options and promoting reuse to minimise
their environmental impact. This extends to other items beyond straws, where eco-friendly
alternatives and reusability should also be prioritised to reduce environmental impacts.

To address the plastic straw problem, we should only provide straws upon request, as they are
not essential for able-bodied individuals.
Exploring other straw alternatives- or eco-friendly options for items aside from straws- re-use
must be prioritised to diffuse their environmental impacts. With the issue of affordability,
discounts should be given by store owners for these options to encourage their use.

Reflection

From this research, I have learnt that governments often choose ineffective solutions to
appease the public, neglecting how these decisions affect others. This made me realise how
untactful we are in pursuing a sustainable earth, especially in neglecting those who need
certain items we banish for environmental reasons.

However, the switch from plastic to paper straws did lead to the emergence of other eco-
friendly material options, marking a start toward more sustainable solutions.

Whenever I used a paper straw, I tolerated the sogginess because I thought I was contributing
to saving the planet. Now, I will purchase reusable straws and everyday items to truly save
energy, conserve resources, and prevent carbon emissions. This is a genuinely sustainable
solution.

Word count

Body: 1782 words; within Fig 1: 18 words; within Fig 2: 12 words; within Fig 3: 11 words;
within Fig 4: 9 words; within Fig 5: 20 words. Total: 1852 words

Reference list/Citation
1Future Proof. (2023, September 6). Why Paper Straws FAILED. [Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiWFF_2IVHc
2P. Pepper. (2018 July 9). I rely on plastic straws and baby wipes. I’m disabled – I have no
choice. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/09/disabled-person-plastic-straws-
baby-wipes
3Sea Turtle Biologist. (2015, August 10). Sea Turtle with Straw up its Nostril "NO" TO
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC. [Video]. Youtube.
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4 National Geographic. (2019 January 3). Plastic straw bans are spreading: here's how they
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5 Green Matters. (2021 January 5). A Running List of Cities, Restaurants, and Hotels That
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6 National Today. (2024). SKIP THE STRAW DAY.
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7 European Commission. (2021). EU restrictions on certain single-use plastics.
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/single-use-plastics/eu-restrictions-certain-
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8 Recycle Ann Arbor. (2024). Plastic Straw.
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9United Nations (UN). (2021 June). Plastic is Forever.
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10 One Ocean Hub. (2023, May 31). THE THREAT OF PLASTIC POLLUTION IN GHANA.
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11 MESTI NEWS. (2019 October 2). Ghana takes steps to end plastic pollution.
https://mesti.gov.gh/ghana-takes-steps-end-plastic-pollution/
12 United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (n.d.). PLASTIC POLLUTION IN
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13.Xinhua. (2018 July 24). Ghanaian fisher lament plastic waste interference with their
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14 Science Direct. (2022 October). Decarbonizing the pulp and paper industry: A critical and
systematic review of sociotechnical developments and policy options.
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15 British
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16 Yash. [@yash_sh8]. (2024 May 7). Who else thinks that these paper straws are stupid
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17 Akash. [@akashtastic]. (2024 May 8). paper straws are the most dumbest things. [Post].
X.
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18 chanel. [@lovely_univrs]. (2024 May 7). paper straws are the bane of my existence. [Post].
X. https://twitter.com/lovely_univrs/status/1787675340648665179
19 Nomaly,A. [@anna.nomaly]. (2024 April 11). jk but also what ab pasta straws instead
#paperstrawssuck [Video]. TikTok.
https://www.tiktok.com/@anna.nomaly/video/7356583441791454506?q=paper%20straws
%20suck&t=1715202773072
20 Schleck G. Schleck , Ben-Alon L. ( 2024 March 28). Eco-ableism and access circularity
in natural building. Science Direct.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263523001048#:~:text=Responding
%20to%20this%20gap%2C%20disabled,i.e.%2C%20eco%2Dableism).
21 P.Pepper. (2018 July 9). I rely on plastic straws and baby wipes. I’m disabled – I have no
choice. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/09/disabled-person-plastic-straws-
baby-wipes

22 National
Health Service. (n.d.). Dysphagia (swallowing problems).
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/swallowing-problems-dysphagia/
23Appropedia, the sustainability wiki. (2018). HSU straw analysis.
https://www.appropedia.org/HSU_straw_analysis#:~:text=A%20single%20glass%20straw
%20is,dioxide%20emissions%2C%20and%20costs%20%240.04.
24 Ibid.

25 Ibid.

26 Ibid.

27 Ibid.

28 VICE. (2019 June 23). Paper Straws are Terrible for the Environment | Let Lee Explain.
[Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv1UPtPgI_I
29 Brueck,H. (2018, October 22). The real reason why so many cities and businesses are
banning plastic straws has nothing to do with straws at all. Business Insider.
https://www.businessinsider.com/plastic-straw-ban-why-are-there-so-many-2018-7?
r=US&IR=T
30 NationalGeographic. (2023, December 12). Whatever happened to the zero waste
movement?
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/zero-waste-movement-plastic-
straw-bans-evolution#:~:text=Plastic%20straws%20became%20a%20target,its%20nose
%20sparked%20an%20outcry.
31 Eco-Cycle. (n.d.). Be Straw Free.
https://ecocycle.org/eco-living/refuse-and-reduce/be-straw-free/
32 National
Park Service. (2021 August 11). The Be Straw Free Campaign.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/straw-free.htm
33Appropedia, the sustainability wiki. (n.d.). Category:Engr308 Technology and the
Environment.
https://www.appropedia.org/Category:Engr308_Technology_and_the_Environment
34 British
Broadcasting Company (BBC). (2023 November 6). Plastic or paper? The truth
about drinking straws.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231103-plastic-or-paper-the-truth-about-drinking-
straws
35 Centre for Disability Rights. (n.d.) Grasping at Straws: The Ableism of the Straw Ban.
https://cdrnys.org/blog/disability-dialogue/grasping-at-straws-the-ableism-of-the-straw-ban/