First, it was Dominos Pizza's promise that if your pizza was damaged on the way home due to a pothole, you could call them and they would fix it. However, this action was topped; on July 9, 2018, Starbucks announced they would be replacing plastic straws with recyclable lids.
This is a huge step in the right direction in order to help create a better environment. As boring as it sounds, a better environment means a better living space for both animals and people.
I'm sure many people have seen the heartbreaking, yet eye-opening video of the group of people working to pull a plastic straw out of a sea turtle's nose. Simply googling "liter in the ocean," will show you the pounds of plastic and waste that flood our oceans.
I love animals. Ask anybody, and they'll tell you that my love for dogs basically tops everything, horses are my therapy, and that I believe all animals deserve a long and happy life.
The number of people who cut straws out of their everyday routine grows each and every day. This prompts businesses, just like Starbucks, to rethink the purchase of plastic straws and come up with better, environment-friendly alternatives. TJ Maxx, Marshall's, and HomeGoods are now selling paper straws, which break down after sitting in water for too long. Starbucks has invented their new recyclable lids, and some restaurants have stated they are getting rid of straws altogether.
While this may seem like a very small problem in today's society and in a world filled with disgusting trash, this one movement can help inspire more people to help clean our oceans.
I've been on this earth for 19 years, and every year there seems to have been more and more trash washing up on the shores of the beach, along the sides of the road, and even in parking lots. I can't wrap my head around why people would want to trash the planet when it provides us with life. Literally, without it, we most likely wouldn't be here. The removal of plastic straws and the recyclable lid being put to the test shows that there is hope yet for the environment and all of the animals that live in it. We need to start taking care of the world we live in and hopefully, this movement will help.
So, the next time you're in Starbucks getting your "triple, venti, half sweet, non-fat, caramel macchiato," make sure to ask for that special lid. You could end up saving a turtle's life.
