How much waste has been produced in Canada? On average, Canadians generate approximately 31 million tonnes of garbage annually. In other words, each person generates 2.7 kg of garbage each day. Out of all garbage generated, only about 30 percent was recycled. As people look to get through their days in a faster and more convenient way, many non sustainable materials are being used to create products that meet the needs of consumers. The most known material is plastic, which you would be able to see everywhere you go, from supermarkets to bubble tea shops. Products that are being wrapped by plastic packaging or disposable straws are made out of plastic. All of this turns into waste by the end of the day, which harms our environment and causes climate change, endangered wildlife, and affects public health.
Why should we replace plastic?
Plastic is produced for its durability and decay resistance. Many companies also use it because it is inexpensive. However, plastic is extremely wasteful and causes negative impact to the ecosystem. Since it is designed to be decay resistant, it takes up to 20 to 500 years to decompose depending on the material and structure. As many restaurants starting to do take-outs and specialty beverages become a norm in people's daily life, plastic straws usage has increased dramatically. A study done by WWF, World Wildlife Fund, shows that on average plastic straws take up to 200 years to break down! Even then, they do not fully decompose.
In Canada, we use up to 55 million plastic straws a day, and many of them become waste that is found in our freshwater environment. Therefore, the government of Canada is taking action to bend single-use plastic by the end of 2022 as part of its zero-waste strategy. This means it is time to search for alternatives material to replace plastic straws.
Other alternatives for plastic straws include
- Paper Straws
As the news came out about the ban on plastic straws, many companies had turned to paper straws because it is the most common environmentally friendly and cheapest alternative. However, they tend to soften quickly and cause unpleasant experiences when you are enjoying your beverage.
- Sugarcane Straws
These biodegradable and eco-friendly sugarcane straws are made out of sugarcane fiber, a rapidly renewable resource. It is more durable than paper straws, when used it is smooth like plastic and does not contain any coatings or dye as you would find in paper straws.
- Metal Straws
Even Though they are reusable and durable, they are not biodegradable. In order to produce such products, mining for its material alone leads to air pollution. In addition, it poses a potential risk of chipped teeth if a consumer bites or misuses it.
- Bamboo Straws
Derived from bamboo stalks, it is a good option for an environmentally friendly alternative. However, it can cause splinter with prolonged or rough use, leading to customer dissatisfaction or even injury.
Investing and protecting our planet is our priority. We should think of ways to reduce the production of waste and the use of unsustainable materials. We are starting by replacing all plastic straws with non plastic but plant-based straws that are manufactured in Canada, followed by choosing the right alternative for your business based on your customers' needs and business goals. We should work together and achieve the goal of zero waste and create a better environment for future generations.
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