It's amazing how something that seems so insignificant may be the catalyst for a major rehab for the way we handle our environmental issues.
If you've caught sight of any media releases on your newsfeeds or your favorite news sources, you may have heard that states, such as California and Washington, and major corporations, such as Starbucks and American Airlines, have raged a war on plastic straws. Those same news sources will also tell you that only nine percent of the plastic we use every day gets recycled. For those mathematicians out there, that means that 81 percent of the plastic we use ends up in landfills or in our oceans.
Of course, other news sources will let you know that only 0.025 percent of the eight million tons of plastic that flows into our oceans every year comes from plastic straws. So, what's with the hatred towards our slender drink companions?
It's all about taking that initial step towards becoming better at taking care of our environment. Plastic straws are not something we actually need, even if they make it convenient for restaurants to provide a service to consumers. What's more, straws are so thin, lightweight, and inconspicuous, people tend to forget to recycle them. For the straws that do make it into the recycling bin, some may not make it through the mechanical recycling sorter and either pollute the recycling load or end up in landfills or oceans.
Take one look at The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and you'll understand just how big of a waste problem we have. Go a bit further and see the turtle that changed the opinions of many when it comes to the use of plastic straws and you can see just how much that waste affects our marine life.
So how you can start the process towards helping our environment? Aside from making changes in your everyday life and switching to reusable products, you can also prompt others to do so by thinking green when choosing your promotional products. Blueberry Ink offers quality products geared towards helping our environment, and among those products are reusable straws.
Stainless Steel Straw Set
Our reusable stainless steel straw set is the perfect companion to your dining out needs. The set comes with two straws made out of 18/8 food grade stainless steel material that can be expertly engraved with your company name and logo. The accompanying velvet pouch can also be imprinted with the same information. Stainless steel straws can make your drinks feel colder when you drink them and will stay with you as opposed to ending up in a landfill or ocean. Just use the included straw brush and water to clean them and then store them away for next time.
Silicone Straw Keychain
Need another option for drinking on-the-go? This silicone straw keychain is a great addition to your traveling needs. It is made of food-grade silicone material and is easily stored in the custom keychain pouch and attached to your keys. Choose your favorite color from Black, Blue, Gray, Orange, or Red, and rest assured you have a durable, flexible, and environmentally safe option for your refreshments.
Beginning the process to eliminate plastic straws is an important first step towards bringing light to the bigger issue of plastic waste, but it isn't the only step you should take. On average, a plastic bottle will take at least 450 years to degrade. If your plastic bottle uses Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), the bottle will never biodegrade. Plastic bags take from 10-1,000 years to decompose. Still other plastic waste can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.
Custom Drinkware to Replace Plastic Bottles
This is why Blueberry Ink doesn't just stop at reusable straws for its custom promotional products. Our Custom drinkware options also provide wonderful alternatives to ditching plastic. From stainless steel tumblers and reusable water bottles to glassware and mugs, we've got a reusable drinkware option for any marketing campaign. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Wood Veneer Tumbler
2. Copper Vacuum Bottle & Tumbler
3. Sport Bottle with Removable Glass Liner
4. Bluetooth Insulated Bottle
5. 16oz Mixing Glass
6. Ceramic Desk Mug
Custom Bags to Ditch Plastic Bags
Companies aren't just foregoing plastic straws. Grocery stores, such as Kroger's, are putting plans into action to slowly eliminate the use of plastic bags in their stores. Kroger's is planning to completely ditch their plastic bags by 2025, but you can help get the momentum started early with our custom tote bags. Our reusable bags come in a variety of styles and colors to match any brand and their large printing area will make your company name and logo stand out. Check out some of our environmentally friendly, grocery-carrying options:
1. Natural Classic Cotton Tote Bag
2. Fantastic Foldable Tote Bag
3. Grocery Tote Bags
4. Eco-Responsible Tote Bag
5. Cotton Shopper Tote Bag
6. Carry-All Tote Bag
Blueberry Ink has an extensive line of eco-responsible promotional gifts and custom corporate gifts that will allow you to keep unnecessary trash out of landfills and out of our oceans, while also providing your clients, employees, and executives with practical and stylish promotional products they can use every day. Take a look through our eco-friendly promotional products to find the one that suits your brand. Contact us with any questions or to place your order.
