By Sydney Cohen
The average American uses over 500 plastic straws in a year. That’s 18,000 straws for you to suck up your drink with!
The good news is that many big companies are now offering reusable straws as a more environmentally-friendly alternative.
Disposable Straws
Did you know that disposable, plastic straws are one of the top ten waste items found in beach cleanups worldwide? The problem with these straws is that they don’t biodegrade and can accumulate in landfills or natural environments. Plastic is a non-renewable resource that we need to use much more mindfully.
The Problem of Straws
It is estimated that 500 million disposable straws are used per year. That’s a lot of waste in the environment, in addition to the many plastic to-go lids that are found in the environment. Disposable straws have become increasingly problematic to the environment over recent years because they are non-biodegradable, meaning they never break down in nature. They also release toxic chemicals into the ground when heated. The solution to this problem is simple: reusable straws!
Why Buy a Reusable Straw?
The plastic that is used to make disposable straws doesn’t degrade easily – it takes years for them to break down. Over time, these tiny pieces of plastic find their way into the ocean and animals ingest them. Since they are so lightweight, they don’t travel far before being carried across oceans. When you use a reusable straw, you’re not only improving your health but also protecting our planet!
Stainless Steel Straws
Stainless steel straws are reusable metal straws. Stainless steel is one of the most durable substances on earth, and stainless steel has a very low carbon footprint! Therefore, a stainless steel straw is an eco-friendly alternative to disposable straws.
Silicone Straws
Plastic waste is a huge environmental issue that we need to stop. One way you can do this is by using silicone reusable straws which are sustainable. Reusable straws made of silicone are a great way to reduce waste and save money. They are durable, the straws are dishwasher safe, and even come in different bright colors!
The Safety of Silicone Straws
Unlike polyethylene or metal, silicone releases no harmful chemicals even when heated. Some of the best collapsible, reusable straw examples on the market are made of silicone.
Cons of Silicone Straws?
It’s an excellent choice to buy straws with open-top molded silicone. However, while there are many benefits, a disadvantage of these straws is that silicone is neither compostable nor recyclable – unlike glass or steel.
Glass and Bamboo Straws
Glass and bamboo are other materials used to make sustainable straws. They are great reusable straw options, as they are both recyclable. Cleaning your reusable glass straw or bamboo straw is a must if you want to get rid of any mold, but fortunately, many come with one cleaning brush or multiple cleaning brushes, and a carrying case, to make for easy transport and cleaning.
Cleaning Straws
Many straws come with a cleaning brush so you can keep them clean, which will prevent any bacteria from growing. If you want to have an environmentally friendly drink, start using silicone or stainless steel instead of single use plastic straws!
Religious Efforts to Reduce Plastic Straw Usage
Lent is a time of year in which Christians give up certain indulgences. Dozens of Pennsylvania churches that are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are using Lent as an opportunity to encourage their members to reduce their consumption of single-use plastic.
According to an article in The Washington Post, “each week, parishioners will be encouraged to give up a different item: shopping bags, drinking straws, water bottles, plastic foam and food wrappers.” Similarly, at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Maryland, “church leaders are asking congregants to fast from single-use plastics, especially straws.”
Focusing on the reduction of plastic straws and other single-use plastics during the weeks of Lent is a brilliant way for religion to lead the way in sustainability. Through our religious holidays and rituals, we have the spiritual technology to save the planet. The only question is, will we rise to the occasion?
Which Reusable Straw?
Reusable straws can be a safer way to drink while taking care of our environment. Food-grade silicone, 17/9 stainless steel, and reusable BPA-free plastics represent the most commonly used substitutes for plastic straws. The most popular reusable straws are flexible, portable, and some are even collapsible straws that can either be bent or collapsed into two.
Stainless steel is the most durable alternative, but thermal transference when drinking hot and cold beverages, and whether there is a wider straw for beverages, such as thick smoothies, should also be taken into account when deciding which straw to buy.
Reusable Straw Example
OXO Grappy Strokes uses silicone with stainless steel to make one of the best reusable straws on the market. There are some amazing designs, for both adults and children. All sets contain two brushes to clean the straws, and a reusable bag to carry them in.
While this is not a collapsible straw, the straws are stainless steel bodies with comfortable, removable silicone tips for drinking from. These straws are unique because they are made of separate segments of stainless steel and silicone, and can be used for cold drinks and hot drinks. This is why the OXO Grappy Stroke is the best overall reusable straw.
* Featured image source
