Updated:09/03/21
It’s been all the hype, cities banning straws. But is it enough just to use eco-friendly drinking straws?
We offer 5 alternatives to plastic straws and why you should say no thank you when offered a single-use straw. You may have heard it in the news, Seattle has ditched the plastic drinking straws.
Starbucks will replace plastic straws, but they will use thicker plastic lids, which may contain more plastic than the old ones.
Playing the sad little violin here. Nice try, Starbucks, but I don’t think that is the right way to go about it.
However, they claim to be looking for better alternatives, although they said that a decade ago and not much has changed. ” If you are a real coffee enthusiast, you would never go to Starbucks anyway.
“ On the good news, American Airlines is also getting rid of plastic straws and stir sticks and is replacing it with eco-friendly drinking straws, sourced from sustainably grown bamboo. Starting this month.
Ditching the straw is a small victory you can feel good about. Plastic straws are a serious offender because they’re single-use, and most straws are too lightweight to make them through a mechanical recycling sorter.
Related: What is microplastic?
They slip through the cracks and contaminate recycling loads or end up in a landfill, where they won’t break down. Ultimately, millions of discarded straws and other pieces of plastic end up in the ocean, where they’ve severely harm wildlife. If you want to know why I am pushing for better or no straws, you should watch this video if you haven’t already. But be warned, it isn’t pretty!
Eco-friendly drinking straws | The 5 alternatives to the plastic straw
Is this going to be the new hype? These are collapsible stainless steel straws, which I have found on Amazon. Pretty cool if you ask me.
1. Stainless Steel Collapsible Straw
You can now get these cool gadget straws on Earthhero . But those are only for the nerdy guy or gal.
I totally get one if I would use straws.
“Our tactic here at zerowasteman is to avoid straws completely and kindly inform the waiter or waitress to leave the straw behind.”
But wait, there are more alternatives. How about stainless steel straws without the gadgety part?
2. Standard Stainless Steel Straw
Help eliminate the 500,000,000 plastic straws Americans use every day with Bestowed Essential’s reusable Stainless Steel Straw, Straw Brush, and carrying pouch! This non-toxic stainless steel straw is ideal for cold drinks, cocktails, and more and is made from 45% recycled stainless steel.
These are the perfect eco-friendly drinking straws since you can put them in the dishwasher and reuse them over and over. The best place to buy is Earthhero.
3. Bamboo Straws
1 billion single-use plastic straws are discarded into the environment every single day.
And while bamboo reusable straws are an amazing alternative, sometimes it can be tough to carry them around!
Brush with Bamboo makes a sustainable life on-the-go a little easier with their Bamboo Straw Travel Kit, containing 3 bamboo straws, 1 non-plastic agave fiber cleaning brush, and a bag to tote it all around in.
They are a great alternative, although some say their drinks taste like grass. I did not notice that, but I guess you have to find out for yourself.
4. Hay Straws
What about straws made from natural plant stems that are 100% biodegradable, which means they won’t linger in landfills.
An ingenious idea from the guys of HAY Straws.
They are similar in feel and function to the plastic straws we’ve all become so accustomed to, but without the toxins and the damaging footprint on our earth.
Unlike paper straws, HAY! Straws® are made from a renewable source, they are gluten-free and best of all, they don’t get soggy!
5. Flexible Silicone Straw
Bendy straws–they’re fun, easy to use, and great for kids. But most importantly… they’re trashing our planet.
That’s where U Konserve’s Flexible Silicone Straws come in. This two pack of angled, flexible straws are made entirely from non-plastic food-grade silicone and can be used on hot and cold drinks.
In two fun colors, these bendy silicone straws can be easily cut down with scissors to shorten their length for kids and toddlers! Plus, they’re dishwasher safe–making cleanup a breeze.
6. Glass Straw
Simple straw makes various colored glass straws, straight or bent.
The Teal Glass Straw Set comes with a hip reverse denim travel pouch made to fit both the 8″ glass straw and cleaning brush, so your straw stays clean and ready to go no matter where you venture.
Plus, it’s BPA-free so that you can sip on even the hottest drinks toxin-free!
Conclusion
What do you think about these 6 eco-friendly drinking straws? Would you get any of them or do you prefer to skip the straw altogether?
Which one is your personal favorite, or have you come across different products that we haven’t mentioned here? Please let me know in the comment section below and help us to consume better.
P.s.: If you use the code ZEROWASTEMAN on any earthhero products you get 10%off 🙂
And if you want to learn how you can save plastic containers from the landfills by changing your laundry detergent then check out this review about Earth Breeze Laundry Strips.
