Give me all the straws!

I am well aware that we all need to do our part to protect our earth.  We need to reduce, reuse, recycle and be mindful of what we consume and how we consume it.  I know that there is a shift towards more sustainable everything and less waste, especially of things that are not biodegradable and would cause more harm than benefit to our environment.  I realize that straws are really not important or vital to human beings, in the big scheme of things. We can find other ways to drink beverages without straws or at least without disposable straws.  I think it’s great that many restaurants and cafes are starting to ban straws in an effort to decrease the waste. But, I have to say, that I really like using straws. I prefer a straw to just drinking out of a cup or even a cup with a spout.  I like the way it feels and how clean it is, not to mention how it helps keep my teeth (coffee, tea, etc) and my clothes clean (I am very clumsy) when I am drinking something. I also like giving my kids straws because it’s just cleaner and neater.  I do use reusable straws and water bottles and cups with built in straws when I am home. But I use plenty of disposable straws when I am on the run or if I get a drink for my kids out and about. We use it once and we throw it away. I wish I could say that I felt really bad every time I did this but to be honest I don’t.  I try to be mindful about waste and being cleaner and less harsh on our environment but when it comes to straws they are so convenient for me and make my life so much easier I don’t give it a second thought. It’s really hard to be mindful of things all the time in all facets of life in every way. I imagine others may not have this issue with straws but maybe there’s something else that you just can’t give up?