As you know, plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues. From 1950s, about 8.3 billion tons of plastic produced over the world and only 9% was recycled, the left end up in landfill or dump into the ocean.
Plastic waste kills 11 million seabirds and marine animals each year. Nearly 700 species of marine life are in danger of extinction.
While plastic has many valuable uses, we have become addicted to single-use plastic products — with severe environmental, social, economic and health consequences.
Aware of that fact, many countries and regions have banned some single-use plastic items such as: cutlery, straws, stirs – the small ones that hardly recycle.
In other countries, many restaurants and coffee shop have been acknowledging the severity of this issue and put an effort to minimize plastic waste from the smallest one – the plastic straws.
One simple step to cutting down on single-use straw consumption is telling servers not to put a plastic straw on the drinks. Of course, it is important to provide straws to consumers who ask for them or need them.
But in these cases, the questions are: What is the most environmentally friendly straw? What can I use instead of a plastic straw?
Are biodegradable straws really biodegradable? What are pros and cons of these eco-friendly straws? This article will answer these questions.
What is the most environmentally friendly straw?
The most environmentally friendly straw is no straw. ^^ Yeah, we all know that. But we’re talking about the situations when people need it. And in this case, we usually think about the eco-friendly straws that biodegradable, compostable or degradable.
As oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com, a substance or chemical that is biodegradable can be changed by the action of bacteria to a natural state that will not harm the environment
Compostable that can be made into compost. Compost: a mixture of decayed (= destroyed by natural processes) plants, food, etc. that can be added to soil to help plants grow
Degradable that can be broken down into a simpler form.
That’s why biodegradable and compostable straws are better than degradable.
Which straws that biodegradable and compostable? What are pros and cons of these eco-friendly straws?
There are many disposable eco-friendly straws for restaurants, coffee shops such as: paper straws, bamboo straws, edible rice straws, grass drinking straws. Each has pros and cons:
- Paper straws:
Paper straws for restaurant and coffee shops Pros: – Colorful, many sizes, suitable for many drinks from juice to bubble tea.
– Small and light so it’s easy to delivery (except bubble tea size)
Cons: Use for cold to warm drinks, not hot drinks.
- Bamboo straws:
Natural bamboo straws to replace plastic straws in restaurants, coffee shop Pros: Reusable, suitable for both hot and cold drinks.
Cons: Thick and heavy compare to other straws. It takes up storage space and costs to delivery.
- Edible rice straws:
Pros: edible, this is a very safe feature for children and many children love this. There are many sizes for all drinks.
Cons: Heavy and fragile during transportation. In hot drinks it can be your pasta.
4. Grass drinking straws:
Pros: – Small and light, easy to store and delivery;
– Good for both hot and cold drinks;
Cons: The diameters are from 4-8mm so it’s good for juice, tea, coffee, smoothies but cannot use for bubble tea.
Above is an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of Eco-friendly straws to replace plastic straws in restaurants and coffee shops. These disposable eco friendly straws are good for hotels, resort, bars as well as events. If you have any question, connect us at:
https://www.facebook.com/VietnamEcofriendlyProducts
Or whatsapp, Viber: +84 973 005 179.
