Over the past year, the straw trend has swooped in and taken the world by storm. We are loving every second of it. We are seeing hundreds of Instagram’s with smoothies and stainless steel reusable straws, restaurants and cafes with paper straws, and even the emergence of the hashtags: #SkipTheStraw and #StopSucking
Reusables straws are taking over the world… and for good reason too. Just like the takeover of reusable water bottles, and reusable grocery totes, the reusable straw replaces a significant contributor to plastic pollution.
The straw is literally the embodiment of needless waste. Most of us do not need a straw, but we have grown accustomed to accepting every form of convenience that single-use plastic provides.
To be honest, we do not really understand the fascination or attachment to plastic straws? If it was up to us, they would be banned by now. Are they fun? Are they useful? Are they just convenient? Does soda taste better out of a plastic straw? Nevertheless, it is time to put the health of our environment above all else.
Americans alone use about 500 million straws each day – and making the swap for a compostable or reusable straw can make such a positive difference. It is a symbolic detachment from the habit of using plastic and marks a contribution to a cultural shift away from our plastic dependency.
We are seeing big strides being taken around the world as people push for less disposable plastics and … it’s working for us! We are managing without as many plastic bags, we are getting used to carrying our own reusable bottles, and going forward, you bet that we can adopt solutions to flimsy plastic throw-away straws as well.
We totally understand that in some cases, straws can be necessary tools for those with difficulty drinking. So we want to be clear, we aren’t saying “wipe straws entirely off the face of the Earth”, we are simply suggesting a shift away from the unnecessary overuse of harmful disposable plastic versions.
With reusable straws coming in stainless steel, bamboo and glass, there is a straw out there for everyone! Here is a mini guide to finding the perfect reusable straw for you.
Stainless Steel
Basically the ‘little black dress’ of the straw world – it always works, never goes out of style and suitable for any occasion. Steel is such a powerhouse as an environmental material because of its durability. Stainless steel is so durable, and it can be recycled infinitely.
Who is the stainless steel ideal for? Well, pretty much everyone. But if we had to choose, the stainless steel straw is perfect for the on-the-go sipper. It’s easy to clean, dries quickly (contrary to bamboo which needs a little bit more drip time), and easily remains clean and sanitary, even when tucked away in a purse. The Life Without Plastic kit is perfect for on the go. It has a durable stainless steel straw with a cleaner and a carrying pouch, so no mess ends up in your personal things.
Bamboo
If you follow @EarthyAndy, or any other beyond cool Hawaii mom on Instagram, you will understand the world’s infatuation with bamboo straws. They are beautiful. Take smoothies and your Instagram game to a whole new level with this earthy vibe. And of course, the main draws to bamboo straws are the facts that they’re 100% natural and 100% compostable. Yep, once your straw has reached the end of its happy eco-life – it will have a wonderful afterlife in the compost.
Glass
The glass straw is a classic. And if the word ‘break’ is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of glass straws, don’t fret, these glass straws are made of borosilicate tubing: the strongest glass commercially available. They are easy to clean, and being glass, they are easily recyclable if broken. The glass straws are perfect for any one who has concerns about the taste of ‘steel’.
Regardless of which straw you choose, you can’t go wrong. Show off your reusable straw with pride. The straw is a great place to start on your journey towards a Life Without Plastic.
Written by: Eva