Eventually, it will become much more difficult to find a plastic disposable solution to cater to a busy lifestyle with the easy grab-and-go morning coffee or a simple on-the-go lunch. With increasing awareness of the amount of pollution covering our planet, states and large cities are doing something in hopes of change. Florida and New Jersey have already banned the use of disposable plastic straws and on July 1, 2018, Seattle passed a law banning businesses from providing customers with plastic straws and utensils.

In years past, Seattle has taken additional steps to help reduce the amount of waste the city transfers to the environment. In 2010, it became a requirement that  food service items, with the exception of straws and utensils, must be either recyclable or compostable. The law prohibiting the distribution of plastic straws and utensils completely went into effect this July, which will affect all food service businesses, grocery stores, coffee shops, food trucks and cafeterias. Businesses have the choice to provide customers with more environmentally-friendly solutions, like straws and utensils made from paper, steel and other biodegradable materials. The city is urging businesses to provide these other options only upon request.

Supporters of the laws are pushing for action to help save the Earth from further pollution. CBSN.com reported that if straws were placed end to end, they could almost cover the distance from Seattle to the Canadian border. Junior Summer Rizzo is a strong believer in the fact that plastic straws and utensils are wasteful and unnecessary.

“Anything that cannot be reused is a complete waste of money and time,” Rizzo said. “Plastic utensils are cheap and easy but they make for lots of cleanup [that is] bad for the environment. If the law is firm and steady and shows improvement then others will try without plastic also. This may lead to progress elsewhere.”

So far, Illinois only has laws banning plastic bags, but with the increasing participation of other states, Illinois might soon follow Seattle’s example. A huge portion of Antioch would be impacted by a law of this nature. Some of the most crowded locations in Antioch are the multiple Dunkin’ Donuts, where most containers, utensils and straws are made of plastic. Most people from ages ranging from four to 80 enjoy an ice cold slushy or a piping hot cup of coffee at least once or twice a week. 

Spanish teacher Melissa Garcia occasionally contributes to the use of plastic straws.

“Utensils [are used] not that often—just in the lunch rooms at school,” Garcia said. “Straws on the other hand [are used] all the time with fountain drinks and iced coffee from Dunkin’. People will have to make some adjustments to their daily schedule and of course there will be people who will complain. At the end of the day, if we can save the Earth a little bit, who would be selfish enough not to?”

The students and Antioch Community High School are constantly using plastic straws and utensils, whether it be from morning coffee or at lunch. Junior Teryn Jones uses plastic most days of the week, but is open to change if it is for the better of the environment.

“I use plastic straws and utensils a few times a week, but I see people using them every day,” Jones said. “I think this law is a great idea because we really need to save the environment. I believe if people get enough information about why [Illinois] is getting rid of the plastic straws and utensils, then they will embrace the law; but, if they don’t get enough information about it, then they will not embrace it at all.”

Only time will tell if Illinois will participate in the movement to clean up the large amounts of waste caused by excess plastic in the environment. If this law is in the cards for Illinois, there will be major changes to people’s busy on-the-go lives.