Plastic Pollution and Environmental Impact

The video discusses Alaska Airlines' initiative to eliminate plastic straws, highlighting the environmental impact of plastic pollution, particularly in oceans. It explains the challenges of recycling plastic straws, their decomposition time, and the formation of microplastics. The video also covers the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the role of corporate responsibility in reducing plastic waste, with examples like McDonald's UK switching to paper straws.

What is the primary reason Alaska Airlines decided to eliminate plastic straws?

• To be the first airline to do so

• To reduce plastic waste

• To offer more beverage options

• To reduce costs

How many plastic straws are discarded daily in the US?

• 1 billion

• 50 million

• 500 million

• 100 million

Why are plastic straws difficult to recycle?

• They are too lightweight

• They are too heavy

• They are made of metal

• They are biodegradable

What are microplastics?

• A type of plastic used in construction

• Pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters

• Large pieces of plastic

• A type of biodegradable plastic

What is the estimated amount of plastic entering oceans annually?

• 10 million metric tons

• 1 million metric tons

• 5 million metric tons

• 8 million metric tons

What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

• A landfill in Texas

• A large area of ocean debris

• A type of plastic

• A recycling facility

What percentage of ocean trash comes from land-based activities?

• 50%

• 60%

• 80%

• 90%

Which company is removing plastic straws from its UK locations?

• Starbucks

• McDonald's

• Burger King

• Subway

What is McDonald's strategy for reducing plastic straw usage in the UK?

• Replacing with paper straws

• Using metal straws

• Banning all straws

• Offering discounts for no straw

What is the potential impact of companies like Alaska Airlines making environmentally friendly moves?

• Decreased customer satisfaction

• Real environmental impact

• Increased costs

• No impact