Sustainable Straws – 10 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Replace Plastic Straws

Are you looking for sustainable straws as an alternative to plastic straws? Then you've come to the right place! As practical, convenient and inconspicuous as plastic straws may be, they are one of the most common items of waste found on the world's beaches. They are a non-biodegradable, disposable product that remains in nature forever and poses a threat to wildlife.

So there really are numerous Reasons to do without plastic straws. Fortunately, there are at least as many ecological options available to us to replace them in a sensible way.

In this article, I will introduce you to sustainable drinking straws and compare them with each other. Use the reusable or edible alternatives, for example, to make a big contribution to environmental protection with small changes. At the end, I'll also give you my personal favorite. Let's go!

Advantages: Why choose sustainable alternatives to plastic straws?

"What exactly is the point of Cocktails, lemonades, smoothies, fruit juices and iced coffees in future only sip with sustainable straws and no more plastic straws? It's only ONE straw!", you may be thinking. But In the course of your life, you are estimated to use over 1000 disposable straws. After all, you only use them for about 10 minutes before they go in the garbage can.

So before we get straight to the tips, I would like to give you the most important ones here in advance. motivating advantages and reasons to use only environmentally friendly drinking straws in future:

1. Protect the environment: Reusable or compostable alternatives for plastic straws reduce the use of plastic straws. Plastic waste that ends up in our oceans and ends up in landfill sites. In addition, the climate-damaging energy required for recycling and constant new production is (generally) eliminated.
2. Protect animals: Every year, around 135,000 marine mammals and one million seabirds die from the plastic waste that we humans leave behind in nature.¹ Avoiding plastic straws therefore helps to protect dolphins, turtles, albatrosses and countless other marine species from suffering and death.
3. Stay healthy: In contrast to plastic straws, ecological drinking straws are free from plasticizers such as BPA and other harmful chemicals associated with plastic products. The change therefore also promotes a healthy lifestyle.
4. Reduce costsDrinking tubes made from durable materials can really be reused forever if handled well. As you don't have to keep buying new ones, you also minimize your costs in the medium or long term (whether in the private household or especially as a restaurateur). Avoiding disposable straws is therefore a good example of how you can save money through sustainability can.

The promotion of Circular economy and the Raising awareness The fact that we are committed to sustainable action in our society is just one of many other reasons for choosing sustainable straws.

10 alternatives: How can you replace plastic straws sustainably?

Doing without plastic straws may not be the whole story. Plastic crisis solve - but the decision is an important start and sends a clear signal for a responsible, sustainable future.

In addition to environmental and animal protection, the large number of sustainable alternatives is of course also a very important reason. Because In my opinion, hardly any disposable product can be replaced so easily and in so many wayslike the plastic straw.

Motivated enough? Then I'll introduce you to some straws that you can use in the future. I'll list their advantages and disadvantages and also show you where you can get them.

1. glass straw

Glass straws are a environmentally friendly and, in my opinion, quite stylish replacement for disposable straws. They can be cleaned with a drinking straw brush or in the dishwasher and reused as often as you like, so there is no waste. And even if they are not biodegradable, they avoid large amounts of plastic waste that would be generated over the years by straws and their packaging.

One small point of criticism is certainly that, although they are actually quite sturdy, they can of course break. However, if you are good with the tasteless strawsthey are sure to serve you faithfully forever - whether at home or in a restaurant.

• DisadvantagesNon-biodegradable and fragile
• Advantages: Reusable, chemical-free, aesthetic and versatile
• Buying tip: You can get really good glass straws here*

2. bamboo straw

Also with Bamboo straws you have an environmentally friendly straw alternative at your disposal. Bamboo wood grows back extremely quickly and is an biodegradable, renewable raw material.

The wooden drinking straws are robust, reusable and create a natural charm. Even though they can crack over time, they will last if cleaned properly. outside the dishwasher very long. As a point of criticism, I personally noticed that the taste can be minimally affected by the wood.

• Disadvantages: Requires manual cleaning, may crack, not tasteless
• AdvantagesNatural look, reusable and ecologically sustainable
• Buying tip: You can get bamboo straws here*

Good to know: By the way, there are also such drinking straws made from bamboo grass*. Although the disposable drinking tubes are also a disposable product, they are also biodegradable.

3. stainless steel straw

Stainless steel straws are an extremely Durable because "unbreakable" option for all those who are looking for a sustainable straw and live as plastic-free as possible want. They can also be cleaned with a small brush, do not rust and do not affect the taste of the drink.

You can also both with "kink" and in straight bar form and in different lengths and diameters. One minimal point of criticism, which has never bothered me so far, is that the sustainable straws could theoretically get a little too hot when consuming hot drinks.

• DisadvantagesAre not biodegradable and can heat up
• Advantages: Very durable, tasteless, plastic-free, rich in variety
• Buying tip: You can get stainless steel straws here*

4. straw made from straw

Actual STROH straws are probably the The most natural and original form of drinking strawbecause they come from a time when there was no plastic at all. That's why I like to call them sustainable life hack of our grandparents' generation.

The real straws are natural, completely biodegradable and add a rustic charm to drinks, so they also make a good suitable for events and celebrations. However, one point of criticism that cannot be dismissed is that they become damp and therefore cannot be used again.

• Disadvantages: Not reusable, not tasteless
• AdvantagesFully compostable, biodegradable, rustic look
• Buying tip: You can get straw straws here*

Good to know: Comparable natural drinking straws are also available made from reeds, grass or rice, for example.

5. paper straw

With paper straws, we have another, Very popular alternative to plastic straws. They are recyclable, biodegradable and would also decompose in nature. They are also available in many colors and patterns, so they can also be a plastic free party upgrade.

However they soften with prolonged use in cocktails, lattes or lemonades, so they can of course only be used once and then end up in the bin. Therefore, with straws Paper is more environmentally friendly than plasticbut definitely not the most environmentally friendly alternative.

• Disadvantages: Not reusable, mostly packed in plastic
• Advantages: Biodegradable, recyclable, large selection of designs
• Buying tip: You can get paper straws here*

6. silicone drinking straw

Silicone straws are a Soft, flexible and long-lasting reusable alternative represent. They are available in different colors, are easy to clean and are particularly suitable for those of us who are sensitive to the rather hard glass or metal straws on our teeth or tongue. Children also enjoy them, of course.

The silicone drinking straws may not be made from renewable materials, nor are they plastic-free or biodegradable, but by using them but you still avoid a lot of plastic waste. Not insignificant points of criticism, however, are that they can impair the taste and may contain plasticizers.

• Disadvantages: Not tasteless, manual cleaning required, contains plasticizers
• Advantages: Reusable, soft, flexible and durable
• Buying tip: You can get silicone straws (without BPA!) here*

7. bioplastic drinking straw

Alternatively, there are also straws made from organic materials, such as PLA (polylactide), corn starch, liquidwood or sugar cane. They are also available in different colors, are biodegradable and can be composted under industrial conditions.

However, this is still a disposable product that is only suitable for the Single use and must be produced again and again.

• Disadvantages: Not reusable and not suitable for home composting
• Advantages: Made from renewable raw materials, biodegradable, versatile
• Buying tip: I would rather recommend the following drinking tubes:

8. edible drinking straw

With edible straws, we have a new Environmentally friendly and fun alternative which can simply be eaten after use.

The straws then consist of, for example Apple leftoversthe natural remnants of apple production. They are therefore sustainable straws that are biodegradable and Avoids food waste. Alternatively, they are available, for example Also based on starch or rice and tapioca.

Even if they are edible and basically more environmentally friendly than plastic straws are still drinking straws that can only be used once and have to be produced again and again, which is energy-intensive.

• DisadvantagesLimited shelf life, not reusable, not tasteless
• AdvantagesEdible, environmentally friendly and innovative
• Buying tip: You can try out edible drinking straws here*

9. pasta straw

Pasta straws are a innovative and also really funny alternative. These are usually ordinary macaroni based on durum wheat semolina, which is why they are also completely biodegradable, compostable or, of course, edible after use.

They are very suitable for environmentally conscious celebrations, but not so good for hot drinks. Basically, they don't soften too quickly, so you can finish the drinks in peace can. Nevertheless, it is again a constructive point of criticism that we are ultimately holding another disposable product in our hands, which can, however, be completely recycled.

• Disadvantages: Not reusable, only suitable for cold drinks, softens
• AdvantagesEdible, biodegradable and compostable
• Buying tip: You can get pasta straws here*

10. no straw at all

The last An alternative that is often forgottenis to simply stop using a straw altogether. It's simple, free, avoids waste and conserves natural resources in everyday life. Ultimately, the most sustainable straw is the one that is never produced.

And let's be honest: whether plastic or not - straws are a nice lifestyle productwhich, on closer inspection, is not necessary. After all, drinks can also be drunk without them. But I can also understand if you don't want to do without it.

• Disadvantages: May not be suitable for all situations
• Advantages: Waste-avoiding, easy to implement, free of charge and environmentally friendly
• Buying tip: Not necessary and definitely the cheapest alternative 😉

5 tips: How do I manage to never use a plastic straw again?

Now you're sure to have found your personal favorite alternative to plastic straws! Depending on where you're traveling, However, in my experience, the renunciation does not always work completely automatically.

That's why I've put together a few more Tips from our own experience so that even as an "avid straw sipper" you will ideally never use a plastic straw again:

• Have If possible, always have a reusable straw with you.
• Sensitize friends and family and pass on the benefits of your renunciation.
• Please explicitly ask for "no straw" when ordering in a café or restaurant.
• And ask ask the staff whether the team would like to use sustainable straws in the future if you happen to find a plastic straw in your drink.

Can you think of any other tips to complement the reusable and environmentally friendly alternatives to disposable straws? Then write me a comment!

Switch to sustainable straws!

From bamboo to glass, from pasta straws to not using straws at all - the options for making your drinks and shakes to consume sustainablyare really diverse and exciting.

And Each of the alternatives mentioned has its own advantages and helps you significantly to reduce your plastic consumption and conserve the planet's finite resources.

""It's just a straw," said 8 billion people."

Unknown (more under Zero Waste Quotes)

I hope that this Straw comparison the sustainable alternatives and made the decision easier for you.

By the way, my personal favorite are stainless steel strawsbecause they look attractive, never break, are tasteless and very easy to clean. And what is your favorite sustainable straw?

Do you have any questions, suggestions, further ideas or personal experiences with environmentally friendly straw alternatives that you would like to share? Then I look forward to your comment.

Stay sustainable,

PS: The plastic straw is of course just one of many everyday products that have a short useful life and quickly end up in the garbage can. I would therefore like to explain in more detail how you can produce less waste in your life in the Article with the Zero Waste tips. Have fun with the implementation!

References

1. NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) e. V.: Plastikmüll und seine Folgen - Abfälle bedrohen Vögel, Delfine und Co, available at https://www.nabu.de/natur-und-landschaft/meere/muellkippe-meer/muellkippemeer.html. [17.01.2024]. ↩︎