Plastic vs Metal
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Me and a friend were having an arguement Plastic vs Metal straws. I personally prefer metal straws over plastic and my friend prefers plastic. Which do you prefer if you use straws at all?
My friends convinced plastic straws are better for the environment, I've tried explaining that they're not but I dont seem to be getting through.
lynneh tried telling her that but she thinks as she went to uni and I didnt that what she says goes.
chelseaturpin I guess in life that there is much things to make us diff. And a pals a pal. Xx
I don't use straws. I will get a paper straw when we get the rare McDonald's or KFC but otherwise don't use straws. If I was going to use straws then I would buy metal ones as they are better for the planet.
Unless her degree at uni was on the environment then her going to uni is irrelevant! Also I have a friend who is a professor and she has a PhD in her field of study, which happens to be about the environment and conservation etc and she said metal straws are definitely better!
MrsCraig I cant cope with paper straws lol, i find they become soggy within 5 minutes
MrsCraig they did them years ago then went to plastic. I remember the paper ones.
rossruby1977 I only remember the plastic ones, never had a paper one till recently. Its so rare I get a drink that needs a straw anyway
MrsCraig early 80’s I’m pretty sure they was paper then. I can remember unwrapping them. Pulling them apart. I will google it to see if my mind isn’t making it up lol
rossruby1977 I was born in the 90s and straws were plastic then, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had been paper before that
MrsCraig looked and it said they been around for a very long time 1870’s!
They introduced plastic ones in 1960’s.
But I’m pretty sure I had a paper one when I was real young in the 80’s. And I opened it.
It sort of comes apart like a toilet roll holder. I’m odd aren’t I lol 
Straws are a pain agreed about the paper ones (soggy ). Plastic 
metal hmmm my mum used to tell me not to chew my zips as would get ulcers so not sure wouldnt feel right . I could take a travel cup with me and transfer that’s a note to ones self for future. 
I have a feeling this is the friend you have mentioned before and sorry but she sounds a bit loopy, maybe you should make her watch a documentary about plastic and the environment with you!
Having said that I prefer drinking from a plastic straw. I had a weird one with a milkshake from maccy d yesterday and it didn't last the length of the drink. (Cardboard?)
I have a pack of plastic straws been hanging around about 7 years, but if I ever finish them I will deffo go for an environmentally friendly one even if it doesn't feel right.
She doesn’t sound loopy lol. She’s probably just argumentative. It’s possible that making a metal straw takes just as much energy as making a plastic straw ? Who knows? I don’t. May be her loopy friend does.
rossruby1977 it may take more energy to make, as you say who knows? But it will last a lifetime, how many plastic straws will you use in a lifetime.
You have possibly not read Chelsea's previous comment about her friend, if it's the same one, she is more than argumentative, which is a bad trait anyway.
PS It is the impact on the environment that is a problem with plastic, not just the energy used making them. Not to mention the sealife and animals killed or injured by plastic.
Lynibis I don’t need straws myself. I have read all comments. But it does sound like your judging her friend. That’s a bad trait.
Lynibis A recent study has shown that the energy used to produce a single metal straw is equivalent to the energy required to produce 90 plastic straws. Therefore, you would have to use a metal straw at least 150 times for it to claim more sustainable than its plastic alternative.4 May 2020
This is what her friend may be trying to suggest.
rossruby1977 did you read her previous topic about her friend......many advised her 'with friends like that ..........' etc
Every comment of yours seems to be argumentative so don't let's have a competition about bad traits unless of course you are saying you don't have any.
Lynibis yeah plastic there is no need for it. Needs to go. I totally agree with that.
Lynibis I don’t call people loopy no. Let’s be honest that’s not a nice thing to say about anyone. So don’t twist this back on me lol.
rossruby1977 It depends what generation you come from....loopy is not considered that way by my generation and we would often call each other loopy loo. I am afraid I don't buy into this speech censorship where everyone is now frightened to use words they have used all their life. This is not the first time you have had a dig at me, and others, but as I am older I suppose I must let it go.
Lynibis dig at others? Come on who have I had a dig at then? You seem to like making out that I’ve been attacking others t@ make yourself seem a victim now.
You can say what you like. It’s up to you. Shows peoples your true colours. And how considerate you are to other human beings. And what you really mean.
That’s for others to decide. And come forward to anyone else that I’ve been horrible to.
Lynibis what ever generation your from it doesn’t make it good does it. That’s a cop out.
If drinking with a straw I personally prefer plastic, metal I feel leaves an odd taste and if it's a cold drink the straw is really really cold. Paper ones are the worst invention ever go soggy after 10sec of being dunked in the drink and have a real nasty feeling.
For the environment I feel the metal ones are best just not my preference
I don’t know why anyone needs straws? The last time i used a straw, was when I had a straw that was a pair of glasses.
I remember them being paper straws years ago.
They only time you really need a straw would be with a thick milkshake or something similar like a smoothie perhaps.
with fizzy pop you don’t need a straw. Not as an adult. Unless your disabled.
But the minority of adults don’t need them. So we’ve all been conditioned to use them I feel.
Just googled this
A recent study has shown that the energy used to produce a single metal straw is equivalent to the energy required to produce 90 plastic straws. Therefore, you would have to use a metal straw at least 150 times for it to claim more sustainable than its plastic alternative.4 May 2020
This is what your friend may be suggesting. Makes a bit more sense when you read that
Reusable straws all the way. How does your friend think that single use straws are better for the environment than metal or any other reusable alternative? I can’t think of a single possible reason that someone could even think of, not that they’d be right still.
My biggest concern with metal straws is the damage they could cause if a child fell when drinking one, I know they’re eco friendly but are they a health hazard?
There are many other alternatives - such as silicone - which could be suitable for children and safer than plastic I’m sure
People with certain disabilities find it easier to use plastic as they are more flexible and safer to use. I know one person who re-uses plastic straws. They clean them after use, so I suppose they are trying their best to not dispose of them after one use.
HappyTravels when those with certain disabilities use plastic straws and clean them afterwards like your friend does I dont have anything against it.
Since I have cut down on my throwaway plastic, I don't use plastic straws, I don't like the thought of metal straws.But I like to drink a 
with a straw so I bought paper straws.
I use metal straws if I need to use a straw but generally prefer to avoid using them at all if possible.
I certainly grew up using paper straws. Yes they did go soggy . I think we only used them at parties and when in a cafe etc. I’m never sure if the metal ones get cleaned thoroughly even with the little brushes.
Wonder that too as it is metal and it can and does get rust.
If it tastes weird, that's a sign.
A couple of years ago in the UK, a woman fell over while holding her drink and the metal straw went through her eye and pierced her brain, killing her. For that reason I would never use metal, only paper even though I don't like them.
I have metal straws, but generally prefer plastic ones if I ought to use.
Paper straws are just downright terrible. If people care so much about the environment, they'd be against paper bags/straws because they're made from trees. Hypocrites.
PhilipMarc we know so much more about the environmental impact of plastics now. It’s a case of paper being the lesser of two evils I would say.
I said this exact same thing the other day to someone at my local Tesco, I told her that using paper bags is just as bad as plastic. She wasn't happy that I stood my ground and had a very good response for her daft opinions, facts and ideas.
Using single use paper isn’t the same as using single use plastic. The two are different materials that although can both be used in single-use fashion, have different impacts on the environment. For one, paper is much less durable and so should biodegrade. Paper is also a natural resource.
I absolutely hate paper straws. I hate to admit this but I like the plastic staws but I try never use them and havent in years now
There are a lot of great alternatives, such as metal, glass, silicone just to name a few
lornaae yep i've tried some of those but I just prefer not to use straws in the first place
Far better to cut down on straw use and actually drink out of a recyclable or washable cup/glass
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