INTRODUCTION
Plastic straws have been proven to harm the environment, so an increasing number of individuals are abandoning their use. Multiple versions of reusable straws have invaded the market over the years. Silicone and metal straws are both excellent alternatives to plastic straws. However, silicone straws are marginally superior in terms of thermal conductivity and adaptability.
5 BENEFITS OF BIODEGRADABLE STRAWS
| 1. | Reduce the Number of Microplastics |
| 2. | Do Not Harm Marine Life |
| 3. | Alternatives to Single-use Plastic |
| 4. | Do Not Release Toxic Substances |
| 5. | Straws Benefit Your Health |
Silicone, which is technically a member of the rubber family, is a stable substance, meaning that chemicals do not leach into your food or drink when the temperature increases. Plastic, which is derived from petroleum, absorbs toxins and compounds, which subsequently escape when heated.
The dishwasher-safe nature of a silicone straw makes it straightforward to use for drink after drink. Consumers may experience a decrease in bamboo availability. Although bamboo straws may not be breakable, they cannot withstand long-term wear and strain. The biggest distinction, however, is the effect on the environment.
Additionally, bamboo straws are the most difficult material to sanitize. Being naturally made from bamboo shoots, they are not constructed with a great deal of precision, making it difficult to locate the appropriate brush to use on them. Despite the tropical flavor they can impart to beverages, bamboo straws inevitably rank lower on the enjoyment scale due to the chalky texture they left behind in the mouth. However, plastic is not innocuous when it degrades. Microparticles of the petroleum-based material infiltrate into oceans and ecosystems.
The days of plastic straws and their packaging littering restaurant, coffee shop, and fast food counters are coming to an end. With several governments, including Australia and the United Kingdom, banning and taxing single-use plastic items and companies like Starbucks, Disney, and Hyatt adopting their own environmental stance by rejecting plastic straws, the demand for sustainable and reusable pipettes has increased.
It is no longer important what color straw you wear, but rather which reusable material you choose. In the last year alone, Americans reduced their consumption of plastic straws by 110 million units, according to the research firm Freedonia Group. As momentum increases, consumers may experience purchase paralysis due to the overwhelming number of available options. Metal, bamboo, silicone, and glass are just some of the available alternatives to single-use plastic straws. The query is, which is superior?
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a more environmentally friendly option for consuming energizing morning smoothies and decadent nocturnal milkshakes. Between lifespan and durability, width and length, flavor, texture, shape, and cleanliness, reusable straws have numerous variables that could make the conversion difficult.
Are utensils required?
Before even delving into these apparently inconsequential details, some may wonder, “Are the liquid chutes completely superfluous? Do I even require straws?”
Given the pervasive pollution caused by disposable straws, eliminating the meal accessories seems to be the best course of action in general. A plastic stirrer can take up to 200 years to decompose, according to a report by 4Ocean, an organization dedicated to reusing marine plastics to clean up the ocean. In the interim, harmful microplastics degrade and contaminate the air, water, and soil of our planet, poisoning fauna and making their way into our food. As a result, many people now advocate a lifestyle without straws. But there are many factors, such as dietary restrictions and health issues, that still call for the existence of straws.
Considerations when acquiring biodegradable straws
Unsurprisingly, dimension is the most important factor to consider when purchasing reusable straws. Depending on the type of liquid one wishes to consume and the type of container desired, both length and width are crucial. Length-wise, standard straws measure between 7.5-8 inches. Those who favor drinking from small glasses and coffee cups should opt for cocktail-sized straws. The shortest sizes measure between 5 and 6 inches, while the longest options are around 10 inches; however, there are longer options for tumbler and thermos users.
The sustainable straw-purchasing mantra is now a focus on function over aesthetics. Smoothies, bubble teas, and shakes necessitate straws with larger diameters, whereas beverages such as water, juice, and soda that are neither semi-solid nor thick can be ingested through straws with smaller diameters. The most common diameters range between 7mm and 15mm (between 1/4 and 1/2 inches). In the trade of straw, shape also plays a role: straight, bent, retractable, and flexible are all essential characteristics.
In the end, the majority of people would view these factors as matters of personal preference. Since straight straws, short straws, and wide-rimmed straws are significantly simpler to clean than their alternatives, they are the most hygienic options for users. This characteristic makes them the most environmentally friendly options for new consumers, simply because they have a longer lifespan. Otherwise, untidy straws are discarded, and a long-term solution to plastic pollution could become an additional mass consumption (and pollution) trend.
Metallic straws
In terms of materials, stainless steel has become the most popular option for reusable straw enthusiasts. The metal is the most enduring material available for straws and possesses odor-resistant properties. Because of its heat-conducting properties, steel options are also the most extensively available on the market. A metal straw is ideal for drinking a chilled beverage because it maintains a crisp and refreshing temperature.
Unless consumers are put off by the metallic flavor that steel can sometimes impart to beverages, have sensitive teeth that are irritated by the hardness of the straw, or consume a large quantity of heated beverages, metal straws are the optimal choice.
Plastic chopsticks
Those who favor softer, more flexible straws may turn to silicone. According to Life Without Plastic, however, this material, which is commonly classified as rubber, is actually a hybrid of synthetic rubber and synthetic plastic polymer. The organization cites Beth Terry, author of Plastic Free, who stated, “To begin with, silicone is no more ‘natural’ than plastic derived from fossil fuels. It is a synthetic polymer, but instead of having a carbon backbone like plastic, it has a silicon and oxygen backbone.
Glass drinking straws Glass is the only alternative material that can compete with stainless steel in terms of durability. If that isn’t enough to deter you, the same silky texture that attracts so many people to silicone models is also to blame for its difficulty to clean. Silicone can harbor microorganisms that produce mold, and it acquires unpleasant odors after prolonged use.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are silicone straws better for the environment?
Plastic straws have been proven to harm the environment, so an increasing number of individuals are abandoning their use. Multiple versions of reusable straws have invaded the market over the years.