Social media can be interesting because of the random things that become a topic of discussion and even debate. One such topic recently was around the new lids at McDonald’s. Why is a random social media topic in a Hastings, MN group newsworthy? Simple, the real reason behind why these new lids were created.

I should be fully transparent here; I was skeptical about the lids the first few times I used them. I like my scientifically designed straw that maximized the taste of my perfectly chilled Coca-Cola from McDonald’s. Go ahead, look it up, the straws are indeed engineered to be different. But there is one problem, they are still straws, and the sheer volume of straws that end up in landfills is astounding. Then, take into account the straws that end up in area waterways and for some, it becomes concerning.

According to a 2018 statistic, the US alone is responsible for using around 500 million disposable straws per day. With a 2018 population of roughly 326.8 million people, it is easy to see, that is about 1.53 straws per person, per day or three straws every two days per person. That is a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, straws account for roughly .025 percent of the eight million tons of plastic that makes its way to the ocean, again, a 2018 statistic.

So, what is the big deal? That is not that much plastic. Correct, it is not, however, that tiny bit of plastic in the straw ads up, and more importantly, every small reminder of being more conscious of our waste can help us be more efficient with our efforts to be more ecofriendly.

What did McDonald’s do? They designed a new lid. That is it, a new lid similar to what they already had for their coffee cups, only better. The new lid has a small flap that helps prevent splashes and holds the ice in the cup if you drink without moving it, or you can pin it out of the way with the built-in bump.

The new lid, according to information distributed by Mc-Donald’s is to help improve their environmental impact and reduce costs. The lid was tested in multiple markets around the US and according to the management team at the Hastings location, the test is just about over. From the sounds of things, they will be returning to normal soon.

I am by no means a tree hugger, but I believe that we need to be the best house guests we can be. If that means we pick up our own messes at a friend’s house or out in the world, we need to do that. If that means we need to cut back on our plastic usage by even five percent individually, I’m in. There are little things all over that we can do intelligently to improve the world around us and for us, why not do it? If one of those things is drinking that deliciously chilled Coca-Cola through a scientifically engineered lid instead of a scientifically engineered straw, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make. Are you?