Last year, market research firm The Freedonia Group Inc. reported that Americans used about 390 million plastic straws every day. That is enough straws to circle the earth 2.5 times, it says. An infographic from GetGreenNow.com states that each year 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from ingesting plastic.
These eye-opening statistics, along with negative public responses, have prompted several beverages companies to implement policies and new products in an attempt to keep oceans cleaner and further sustainability efforts.