Starbucks makes 'strawless' lids standard in North America to cut down on waste

Whether it actually makes a big difference or not, Starbucks took another step toward getting rid of plastic straws on Thursday.

The massive coffeehouse chain announced that clear plastic "strawless" lids would be the standard going forward in North America for tea, iced coffee, and espresso drinks. These new lids are recyclable, which Starbucks said gives them an environmental advantage over traditional plastic straws people have been using for decades.

The change comes after a trial period in some North American markets over the past year. Starbucks apparently liked what it saw and decided to make the lids the new normal in both the United States and Canada. The company claims the new lids use nine percent less plastic than the old approach.

Even if that's true, this might not be good news for everyone. Growing bans on plastic straws have been cause for concern for two years, especially among disability rights advocates who say plastic straw alternatives aren't especially friendly for people with cerebral palsy, for example.

Additionally, disposable plastic objects like straws don't account for nearly as much ocean pollution as commercial fishing equipment.

Still, if you're a Starbucks regular who's worried about the environment, your iced coffee might be a little safer for the world than before.