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The case FOR STRAWS The drive to ban single use plastic straws gained much of its momentum from one powerful video. When footage of a sea turtle with a straw stuck up one of its nostrils went viral, people were horrified, and for good reason. The growing movement led to companies like Starbucks relinquishing straws, and in New Zealand many cafés and restaurants have swapped their plastic straws for paper ones. It’s easy to see why change has come about more swiftly than other environmental measures. 48 FamilyCARE
People can pat themselves on the back for doing their bit, without experiencing any real sacrifice. However, it’s a different story for those in the disabled community as well as many elderly people. Weakness, paralysis, swallowing problems or involuntary movements mean that using metal, bamboo, glass, acrylic, paper or pasta straws can add a higher risk of injury or choking. These straws are difficult to position and keep in place. “Targeting plastic straws has the unintended consequence of causing
A move away from plastic has led to changes in many products and habits, including drinking straws. But not all straws are created equal, says Angelique Kasmara. harm to disabled people that use them,” says Disabled Persons Assembly chief executive Prudence Walker. The harm is twofold, she says. "Firstly it reduces disabled people’s access to a necessary aid that enables them to hydrate independently and with dignity." "Secondly, by targeting plastic straws over other single use plastic, and the rhetoric often heard around straws of 'well, no one really needs them anyway', it indicates to the disabled community that their voice is again being unheard, or is being wilfully ignored." www.wecare.kiwi
