Bands on plastic straws have become so universal that in many places it's now the exception

instead of the rule when you're able to get one at all, even upon request.

And we all think it's helping to protect marine life, to keep plastic out of the oceans

and to fight global warming, or something.

But surprise, the science shows that Bands on plastic straws might not be doing any of

those things.

And in fact, might even be counterproductive.

Rethinking plastic straw bands is today unskeptoid.

You're listening to Skeptoid.

I'm Brian Dunning from Skeptoid.com.

Rethinking plastic straw bands.

In a world where we're fast closing in on the tipping points of climate change, where

all signs point to us barreling toward irreversible environmental damage, we see huge numbers

of various initiatives and plans being tossed around and often implemented.

While the deep systemic changes needed to make a real difference are moving at a glacial

pace at best, lots of smaller local environmental initiatives are passing.

And a lot of these happen to be Bands on plastic straws.

plastic drinking straws, say many people, are the low-hanging fruit of environmental

catastrophe, a place where a small change can make a big difference.

Today, we're going to take a look at the science behind these Bands to determine whether

they truly are the best place to focus our efforts, or merely just the easiest.

I would like to point out that I agree 100% with the motivations of every listener out

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