People are acting as though plastic straws are the root of the problem. While ditching straws is a start, I find it laughable when people buy water in plastic cups or whatever and then refuse the straw. It's just hypocritical. If you really want to label yourself an environmentalist or something, don't focus entirely on straws. It's lazy. There are much bigger problems like energy usage or just plastic in general (as in, not just straws), so focus on the bigger picture. Even if straws were annihilated completely, it wouldn't change much.

I agree with you completely, straws are not the only problem.  There are videos all over the internet of people refusing straws or simply throwing them away and opting for metal straws, yet they are still using plastic cups and lids.  Companies such as Starbucks sell reusable cups that offer discounts on refills to prevent people from wasting plastic.  Making the investment for reusable products not only saves the environment but also saves you money.

This is too true. Even at my job we have paper straws for the customers but still use plastic lids and have plastic straws for employees to use. If people wanted to make a change they would stop using anything plastic and not just the tiny straw.

This is very true. There are many sources of plastic besides straws that contribute to the problems we are having. While it may seem futile to refuse a straw and then use a plastic cup, at least its a step in the right direction.Granted it is a very small step that doesn't help too much, if everyone stopped using straws it would add up and reduce a good amount of plastic. I do agree that an ideal situation would be to completely stop the use of plastic, but given how much we use and depend on plastic for things such as drinks at a restaurant, a small step in the right direction such as reducing straws is very important.

I am thrilled to know I am not the only person who notices this situation because it is quite serious. People are so quick to claim that by switching to paper straws and cups will save wildlife. However, no one wants to point out that these people use plastic credit cards and buy items with excessive, plastic packaging. If a person truly desired to reduce the amount of plastic they use, they would not just eliminate plastic straws, but would dedicate themselves to eating at home more often where these are not required.

I agree with this statement 100%. Plastic straws are a problem, sure; but labeling them as our biggest issue doesn't make sense. Especially when people think that all they have to do to save the environment is refuse plastic straws. It's a lot deeper than that, and it should be realized that yes, not using straws helps; but actually making efforts and lifestyle changes is what's going to makes the biggest difference.