Wow- That’s a great article! Thanks for sharing!

The District of Columbia banned plastic straws as of July 1, 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/on-patrol-with-an-enforcer-of-dcs-plastic-straw-ban/2019/01/28/511e7bcc-1511-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html?_gl=1*rl837k*_ga*ajA4RWxfWklzX3V6ckJJYlJCV2V0QV94bWJHWGo2b3RMbzBKX1hQMTRHLXNkWXVVUGRmeUNPV2MzQXN1a2ZaXw..
Local jurisdictions have also implemented bans. I agree with Erin — preventing spills on the go are the biggest (perhaps only) reason to use a straw. Thanks, Emma, for your research!

There are a couple things at play here. Some states such as California have banned the use of single-use plastics- which would include straws- and a lot of companies have pledged to go straw free by a certain time, but there have not been national standards set for plastic straw use. It mainly resulted from a “save the turtles” movement that was started a few years ago when a video was released of scientists removing plastic straws from sea creatures.

I agree with you it is so important to encourage environmental awareness. I’m hoping to reach a lot of forward-thinking people like you. Thanks for helping me spread the word to your family and friends!