3 Alternatives to Plastic Straws That Are Kind to The Planet
A study by the University of California Santa Barbara’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) found that 8 million metric tons of plastic trash end up in our oceans every year. That's equivalent to five grocery bags filled with plastic for every half a meter of coastline in the world. Seen from a macro-perspective, minimizing straws would be a pretty effective place to start in the quest to clean the oceans. Their lightweight profile makes it easy for them to get blown out of overfilled trashcans and every gutter and storm drain eventually makes its way back to the ocean. Once they reach the water, marine life can accidentally ingest them, causing a 50 percent mortality rate in seabirds and turtles. The straws that aren’t ingested break down into “microplastic,” clogging up the waterways and posing a threat to fish.
Although straws might seem insignificant, all those sodas, water, juices, smoothies and iced coffees add up. Studies have showed that in the USA alone, people use about 500 million plastic straws a day! You might be thinking "Well what if I recycle my straws?" but plastic straws are too light weight to even be sorted by mechanical sorters. And lets get real, according to a 2016 study by the World Economic Forum only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling, and "a staggering 32% of plastic packaging escapes collection systems." So while plastic straws represent only a fraction of the overall tonnage of ocean plastic, they are even less likely to make it into recycling bins and end up causing a lot of harm.
Other than the environmental factors there are health risks to plastic straws, as with any other plastics. The BPA contained in these straws can cause heart problems, obesity, early on-set puberty and even cancer. The reuse of plastic straws also lead to build up of harmful bacteria and germs. These harmful properties are especially dangerous when the straws are used in hot drinks since the plastic becomes heated.
If you really think about it, straws are not a necessity. You can still enjoy your beverage if you refuse one and it is the easiest and most eco-friendly option but if you absolutely must have one there are many alternatives, such as the ones offered by Restraw, and many restaurants are now offering sustainable alternatives.
Restraw is a South African company started by a couple who was heartbroken by the state of the ocean in their travels. Their production process is as sustainable as can be and is manufactured locally here in South Africa. They offer three kinds of reusable straws: glass, stainless steel, and bamboo. All of which come with an equally sustainable and cruelty free hemp sleeve to keep and carry your straw safe wherever you go, and a cleaning brush to clean inside your straw.
There are many kinds of reusable straws, all with their own benefits. Here are my three favorites:
Bamboo
Bamboo
straws are like a natural filter that lets you enjoy smooth, refreshing
beverages free of the chemical, paper or plastic taste. They are 100% natural,
chemical free and can be used in both hot and cold beverages. They can also be
composted once they start to age. The biggest upside of bamboo, to me, is how affordable they are, being a student and all. Restraw's bamboo straws are manufactured in a village near Ubad, Bali by a young boy
and his family.
Glass
Glass
straws will not leak toxins into your drink, are dishwasher safe, and easy to
clean and sterilize. They also do not contain any lead or other toxins. Restraw
manufactures their glass straws with borosilicate, the most durable
commercial glass available. They can also withstand very high and low
temperatures.
Stainless Steel
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