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PLASTIC STRAW BANS, 2018

Currently, there is a pile of trash floating in the Pacific Ocean that is the size of Texas. Believe it or not, much of this waste is actually plastic drinking straws. Beach cleanup crews report that plastic drinking straws are one of the most common pieces

of trash found on ocean shores. In 2018, many companies and local governments began to ban plastic straws to start to take control of the problem. These companies have either replaced their plastic straws with paper straws or done away with straws altogether. Starbucks, Marriott Hotels, and American Airlines have committed to getting rid of plastic straws. New York City, Hawaii, California, parts of New Jersey, Washington, and Florida all have started the process to ban plastic straws.

Plastic and other waste washing ashore next to the Panama Canal, Panama.

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