{"id":65509,"date":"2022-02-22T11:55:24","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T18:55:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=65509"},"modified":"2022-04-22T13:54:47","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T20:54:47","slug":"straw-wars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/straw-wars\/","title":{"rendered":"Straw Wars: Be the new hope"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In an ocean far, far away, 12.7 million metric tons of plastic a year are polluting our waters, littering our shores, killing marine animals and seabirds and contaminating ecosystems we\u2019ve relied on for years. Straws are among the top 10 most common items found during cleanup events, and they serve as a symbol for other single-use plastics like grocery bags, cutlery and bottles, which are made to be immediately disposed of, serving their purpose for an average of only three minutes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Single-use plastics are the product of a society hyper focused on convenience. Of course, there are plenty of important reasons when single-use plastic products are necessary (surgical gloves, masks, straws for people with disabilities, etc.), but those instances make up very little of the total amount of plastic ending up in landfills. Studies have estimated that 91 percent of all plastic isn\u2019t recycled at all, and more than half of all plastic comes from the packaging of single-use plastic products.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All these statistics can be depressing as an individual, and it is important that we hold big corporations accountable for their overwhelming fault in this crisis, but there are actions you and I can take to be the new hope. We need to shift our mentality away from single use because it is not enough to just switch the materials if the intention of the product is to still be immediately disposed. Here are some ways you can make that shift:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Swapping to reusables<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cBringing your own\u201d can save you money at the grocery store, coffee shops and other businesses that are eco-conscious. Bring your own mugs to coffee shops and breakfast outings\u2014mugs can be great conversation starters, and there is nothing like drinking coffee from a mug. There are plenty of opportunities for reusable swaps in and out of the kitchen that include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Silverware and dishes\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stainless steel water bottles<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cloth napkins<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hygiene products like silicone menstrual cups and cut up t-shirts to replace cotton pads and <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Washable mop and dusting pads<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Silicone baking mats<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Razors<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reusable K-cups<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Repurposing single use to be multi-use<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yogurt containers are great options for reusable plastic containers, along with your curry takeout bowl. And, instead of buying designated poop bags, plastic grocery bags can be used to pick up after your dog. Avoiding single-use plastic is near impossible, so reusing them when possible is a great way to expand the lifetime of the product. This is also true of other single-use products that may be made with a different material. Just because it isn\u2019t plastic, doesn\u2019t mean it doesn\u2019t come with an environmental cost. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Options for reusing:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gift bags<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Takeout containers<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Paper bags<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Glass jars<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bread bags<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Plastic zippered bags<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Plastic cutlery<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shop smart<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As consumers, our power comes from where we spend our money. Choosing to purchase goods that use minimal plastic packaging, can be recycled or reused easily and from companies you know are doing what they can to produce sustainable products can make a difference.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some options for swaps at the store can include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shampoo, conditioner and soap bars that don\u2019t have plastic packaging (or refilling old containers with new product)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Toothpaste tabs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Laundry detergent in powder form<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Farmer\u2019s market and other locally sourced foods that are in season<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thrifting!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While it isn\u2019t up to just you or me individually to solve the climate crisis, we can take small steps on our own to build better habits that support a greener future, collectively. Recognizing the role convenience has played in the productions of plastic products can help us build awareness that inspires real change. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And as aware citizens, it\u2019s our job to be the new hope.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-56007\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-300x213.png\" alt=\"Northern Arizona University Logo\" width=\"158\" height=\"112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-768x546.png 768w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514-600x426.png 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2019\/06\/NAU_primary-281_3514.png 905w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 158px) 100vw, 158px\" \/><\/a>McKenzie McLoughlin | NAU Communications<br \/>\n(928) 523-4789 |\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:McKenzie.McLoughlin@nau.edu\">McKenzie.McLoughlin@nau.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"search-results-excerpt-link\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/straw-wars\/\">In an ocean far, far away, 12.7 million metric tons of plastic a year are polluting our waters, littering our shores, killing marine animals and seabirds and contaminating ecosystems we\u2019ve relied on for years. Straws are among the top 10 most common items found during cleanup events, and they serve as a symbol for other&hellip;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":65510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1815,1816],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lumberjack-features","category-lumberjack-lifestyle"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65509\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}