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STRAW ALTERNATIVES
Plastic straws are small, light and practical – so why should we use alternatives made from other materials? They may be small, but plastic straws cause significant damage. 360 billion plastic straws are used around the world every year, which makes it a serious ecological problem.
This is why we should avoid plastic straws:
Environmentally damaging production:
Crude oil is required to make plastic – a finite resource whose extraction causes major environmental pollution.
Microplastics are formed:
Plastic straws break down into smaller pieces over many decades.They form microplastics, which can get into the soil and oceans.
Poor ingredients:
Plasticisers such as BPA (bisphenol A) are often used to make plastic straws. They are suspected of being harmful.
Environmental pollution:
Plastic straws are so small and light that they can easily contaminate the environment. Shipping often entails storing waste at the ports, and this is how plastic straws can get into the oceans.
Difficult to degrade:
Plastic straws contain polypropylenes. There are many different reasons why plastic straws still end up in the environment. It then takes up to 500 years for polypropylene to decompose.
Dangerous for animals:
Wildlife can easily swallow or inhale the thin straws. It also affects us humans: we can ingest microplastics when we eat fish.
Here are a few alternatives to plastic straws
You don't have to stop using straws completely to enjoy your favourite drinks.Below
you will find an overview of plastic straw alternatives along with their pros and
cons compared to plastic straws.
Paper straws
Paper straws are an obvious plastic straw alternative – after all, they were used before plastic was invented. However, paper straws are still a single-use product with a questionable life-cycle assessment.
Stainless steel straws
Metal straws were being used as far back as 5000 years ago. And environmental associations today still recommend them.
Silicone straws
Plastic straw alternatives made from silicone are soft and supple. As they are unbreakable, they often seem to be a suitable option for children. But you should be wary of questionable substances. Although silicone straws are reusable products, their life-cycle assessment tends to be negative due to their substances.
Glass straws
Straw alternatives made of glass are particularly elegant and stylish. With the Artesano glass straw set, Villeroy & Boch offers you pure drinking pleasure for hot and cold drinks. As the ecological balance of glass straws is impressive, they are recommended by environmental organisations. Advantages of the glass drinking straw: - Glass drinking straws are reusable. - Glass drinking straws can be disposed of with glass waste. - Glass drinking straws are recyclable and therefore environmentally friendly. - The material does not contain any harmful substances. - The transparent glass is stylish and makes cleaning easier. - Glass is a particularly hygienic material, as bacteria can hardly adhere to the bacteria can hardly adhere to the smooth surface. - A glass drinking straw is dishwasher-safe. - Glass is completely taste-neutral. Disadvantages of the glass drinking straw: - Although glass is very stable, it is not completely shatterproof.
Bamboo straws
Bamboo is a natural material – with all its pros and cons. It does have a certain natural antibacterial effect, but its hygienic aspect is not the best. This is why bamboo straws can be used in private households, but are not suitable for the hospitality industry.
Apple pulp straws
Edible plastic straws made from apple pulp (a by-product in the manufacturing of apple juice) are just one example of original plastic straw alternatives available in the market. Apple straws are an edible single-use product.
Seaweed straws
Plastic straw alternatives made from seaweed were developed by a company in New York. They resemble conventional plastic straws when it comes to their weight, use and mouthfeel. But they are much more environmentally friendly.
Stop using straws completely?
Replacing plastic straws with a green alternative contributes significantly to protecting our environment. There are many good plastic straw alternatives to choose from nowadays. Many people opt for glass straws: they look good and also have a positive life-cycle assessment. But glass straws will eventually reach the end of their service life after repeated use, often years. If sustainability is important to you, then always use straws consciously. By not always enjoying your drink with a straw, you will lengthen the lifespan of your straw – and protect the environment. Whether it’s a hot drink in winter or a cold drink on a summer’s evening – when you do use a straw, it will make the drinking experience even more special.