EDITOR:
Many restaurants across Prince Edward Island are getting rid of plastic straws in exchange for paper ones. Do not get me wrong, the environment needs saving. But, they are acting like that is all they need to do to stop killing marine animals.
The paper straws many restaurants are using are weak and flimsy. After a couple minutes, they begin to disintegrate and lose their structural integrity.
People end up using two or more straws for one drink, making the demand higher; therefore, the need for paper is higher. Some companies are switching to lids that do not require a straw, which is a much better alternative than the paper straws.
Getting rid of plastic straws is a great idea, but it does not decrease the mass amount of plastic that those same restaurants use with their utensils.
Every fast food place you go to that has paper straws will also have plastic spoons, forks, and knives.
I believe that wooden utensils would work significantly better.
Cutting down on a percentage of your plastic use as a large corporation is essential right now.
But, paper straws just cause more straws to be used.
Wooden utensils would hold up for a meal and would cut down a larger percentage of plastic than the straws.
I think all companies should consider switching to wooden utensils and lids that do not require a straw to drink.
Then, we will not be stuck with paper straws that stop functioning halfway through a beverage, and we will get rid of a bulk of the plastic being used by chain restaurants and corporations.
Hannah Callbeck (UPEI student),
Albany, P.E.I.
