Is the whole changing into metal straws just a passing trend? Or does it actually have a big effect on the environment?

Why don't people just NOT use straws?

I don't think by not using straw helps. It's more of a merchant's tumpang on environmental friendly talk to save $. Because if they really care , then why not do away with all the paper plates , cups and plastics utensils and use ceramic plates and steel spoon and forks? This is because the cleaning washing and replacing cost is much higher than simply throw away the paper plates/cup and plastic forks and spoons.

As shown by others below, companies uses much more plastic, why not all stop ? The reason is there's not better and more cost effective solutions yet.

Till someone come out with something better, cost effective and more environmental friendly. Plastic is not going away and any replacement like steel straw was simply and passing trend.

It might actually be worse for the environment if people keep buying metal straws. Just don't use straws la.

Short answer, No. Long answer, noooooooooooooooooo. (just kidding).

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To be honest, there is barely any effect on the environment. Sorry to burst your bubbles, but it's simply a way for people to feel good about themselves, thinking that they actually made a difference. (They don't) It is just a fashionable trend. Companies jump on the bandwagon to profit off this activity. It is known as "green washing".

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https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-06...

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https://mothership.sg/2018/07/ban-straws-singap...

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https://www.businessinsider.sg/plastic-straw-ba...&IR=T

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https://phys.org/news/2018-04-science-amount-st...

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So technically, plastic straws = 0.03% of total plastic waste. A bulk of all plastic waste in the ocean comes from fishing-related activities - nets, lines, barrels, equipment, etc. Maybe getting the government to crack down on illegal dumping of plastics by fishermen is a better way to combat this issue.