Stainless Steel Straws Versus Plastic Straws

Stainless steel straws are better for the environment since they are reused and not thrown away in landfills and the ocean. There are a host of reasons why, but the bottom line is that we are producing over 500 million straws annually, yet very few of these straws are ever recycled because they are made of polypropylene which is an oil-based product that does not biodegrade. This type of plastic “photo degrades”, which means that it breaks apart into smaller and smaller hunks until it becomes small enough for fish to eat. According to ChooseToBeStrawFree.com, straws are among the top 10 items found in marine debris.

In a 2011 study done by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the incidence of plastic in fish stomachs was 9.2% of what they collected. According to findings, “The ingestion rate of plastic debris by mesopelagic fishes in the North Pacific is estimated to be from 12000 to 24000 tons yr.” We are eating the fish that have these plastic pieces in them which is contributing to the bioaccumulation of plastics in humans. What causes cancer? We don’t know for the most part, yet I have no interest in being the human that ingests these toxins which might contribute. It’s strange to imagine that such a tiny bit of plastic could harm us, but these imaginings can contribute to the 500 million dollar question: “Are plastics killing us?”

Where to find Stainless Steel Straws online – ECOJARZ STRAWS and ACCESSORIES LINK.

And so there I was at a Mother Earth News Fair event standing at my publishers booth staring across the aisle contemplating that very question while I watched the EcoJarz team selling stainless steel straws like they were going out of style. There were long lines of people waiting to buy the lids and straws. I walked over to talk with them about the plastic situation in the environment and they explained their product in simple terms, “No: BPA, phthalates, or chemical leach. More glass and stainless.” That’s it. Simple. I could get rid of the plastic straws we use at home and start something new right there.  Washing the straws is made super-easy by the little brushes EcoJarz sells with the straws. I asked them if they would send out some samples to review and I fell in love with them as they are easy to use and definitely help me feel like I am a step closer to making a difference for the environment as well as my family’s health.

Ecojarz recommends using the 24 ounce mason jars which are for green bean or asparagus canning as drink glasses (see my carrot and ginger juice in the top photo). Take their super cool drinking lids, add in their stainless steel straws, pour your drink in the mason jar, and screw on the lid. It’s that easy. Stop using those plastic straws and set yourself up with a more sustainable drinking system at home that has stainless steel straws and makes a difference

These stainless steel straws and Ecojarz lids have been given to me at no cost to review, but I want to be clear that they have not paid me and my opinion is not swayed because of their giving me product – after reviewing the products I have found them easy to use and a better solution for the environment – this is my own opinion. Thanks EcoJarz!