Hey, don’t be a sucker

After much soul-searching and introspection, I would like to re-address this issue of “to straw or not to straw.”

The role of a vacuum in nature is not the issue here. Also, straws are important to patients that have issues obtaining fluids, and these are actually reusable. The real issue is who is being responsible for the use and need for straws. Mr. Barry Thomas of Fayetteville was correct—don’t be a sucker; use straws responsibly.

According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition website, 500 million plastic straws are used and discarded each

day in the U.S. alone. Plastic straws are No. 5 of the top 10 items found in the world’s oceans, according to the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Data.

Please stop and think before asking for a straw. Do you really need it? What happens to a discarded straw after it’s used? Is there a recycling protocol at the restaurant to handle used straws?

Is it too difficult for a restaurant to add to their menus, “Straws provided upon request”? I don’t think so. Should biodegradable straws be used? Yes, there are affordable compostable materials available that straws can be made from that would eliminate this problem. Restaurant managers and owners, please explore this option. Don’t forget about those tiny straws that bartenders use in serving cocktails.

Straws are a convenient way to drink liquids when on the run. Americans are always in a big hurry. Stop and think before asking for a straw that you really don’t need. Don’t be a sucker; recycle straws and all plastic items.

KIRBY SHOFNER

Little Rock