Why Paper Straws Should Be Standardized: an Economic Analysis
By: John Oh, Inho Kee
We are currently in an environmental predicament: air pollution, sea level rise, climate change, etc. Amid these myriad ecological issues stands pollution of excess, unnecessary waste such as plastic. According to the UN Environment Program, 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year, and only 9% of them are recycled due to the non-grable features of such waste. Furthermore, less than 50% of the bottles purchased in 2016 were recycled; the leftovers end up in landfill sites or the ocean. Still, the production of plastic is boisterous. National Geographic declares that if plastic manufacturers continue to comply with today’s growth rate, by 2050 12 billion metric tons of plastic will be in landfills. Not only is the pollution egregious to ocean animals—killing 100,000 marine wildlife annually—but it also yields erroneous consequences to humans. Microplastic wastes do not stay at the beach; through ingestion and inhalation of these substances, humans develop DNA damage and inflammation. Armed with such facts, various organizations have employed methods to curb the pollution, and a promising approach is the use of paper straws.
Made up of gradable materials, the paper straw is the epitome of an environmental alternative to plastic items. Unlike plastic straws which can take up to 200 years to fully decompose, paper straws only require 2 to 6 weeks. Therefore, they significantly reduce the human footprint of the environment. As much as these straws are sustainable environmentally, they are also industrially. Currently, major enterprises such as McDonald’s or Starbucks have supported the use of paper straws; regarding their vast industrial influence, economists suggest that those businesses will set a precedent for other companies to follow. Also, as new paper straw start-ups are emerging, sales are escalating while the prices are decreasing. As more customers are exposed to paper straws, the usage of renewable products increases.
Despite the environmental benefits that paper straws possess, the major reason why people oppose paper straws is because they believe it causes negative health damage. For instance, some health experts warn that drinking with paper straw may contain chemicals linked to cancer or other ailments. They reason that sometimes contaminations like chloropropanols, mineral oil hydrocarbons, and photoinitiators may be found in the straws. Nonetheless, the toxication from paper straws is extremely rare and even when they are found, they are seldom potent. Also, many substances that compose paper straws are being approved by the FDA. Environmental changes are surely possible, but they are contingent. If we do not act up, there will be no promising future.
From an economic standpoint, The use of paper straws as an alternative to plastic straws presents economic benefits in addressing plastic pollution. Plastic pollution imposes significant costs on society, such as harm to the environment, marine life, and human health. By adopting paper straws, businesses can contribute to reducing these costs and meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives.
Major companies like McDonald's and Starbucks have already started using paper straws, indicating a market trend toward sustainability. This adoption by industry leaders sets an example for other businesses to follow, potentially leading to wider adoption of renewable products and solutions.
The production and distribution of paper straws are experiencing positive market responses. New start-ups in this industry are emerging, resulting in increased sales and decreasing prices. This suggests that economies of scale are being achieved, which can further drive down costs and make paper straws more accessible.
Transitioning from plastic to paper straws may involve some initial costs for businesses, such as adjusting manufacturing processes. However, as more companies adopt sustainable alternatives, cost reductions can be achieved through economies of scale and advancements in production technologies.
In conclusion, the use of paper straws offers economic advantages by addressing the external costs of plastic pollution, meeting market demand for sustainable alternatives, and encouraging innovation in the industry. It is important to balance environmental considerations with health concerns and ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of paper straws as a solution to plastic waste.