Vancouver councillors have voted to ban plastic straws, foam cups, and other foam containers on June 1, 2019. There are mixed feelings from the public. Personally, this is something that I am excited to see happening as I am trying to live a zero waste, plastic-free lifestyle. However, I can’t help but think “Why did it come to this?” We, as a culture, are so obsessed with convenience and low-cost substitutions that we have failed to see the mess we are making of the planet until it’s nearly too late.
We need to do a lot more than just ban plastic. The public needs to rewire their brains to think differently when grocery shopping or going for take-out. Individuals and businesses should be making more sustainable choices not because they are forced to, but because it’s something that is important for the well-being of future generations. Reducing waste is so much more than just plastic straws and to-go cups.
Image: Amara Gelaude/The Cascade
