askST: The last straw

Stopping the use of plastic straws signals that everyone can take steps against waste and overconsumption

Society as a whole has become aware of the environmental harm posed by everyday products such as plastic bags, straws and packaging.
PHOTO: AFP
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Recycling might seem an obvious solution but this is hard for plastic straws because of their size. They are so small that it is difficult to sift them out from all the material processed in recycling facilities.

Second, there are many alternatives to plastic straws, such as paper straws - which decompose more easily and are hence less harmful - reusable straws, or even just drinking directly from the cup or can.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 08, 2018, with the headline askST: The last straw. Subscribe