“Stop being a Sucker!” The best way to STRAW SWAP the ECO-FRIENDLY way… including a list of options for straws in lots of shapes, sizes & designs!
If you’ve read my blog post ‘3 Tips when deciding to go Plastic Free’ (If not I encourage you to read it by clicking on the title) you’d know that the 1st step I took in reducing my personal plastic use was doing a straw swap the eco-friendly way… and you’ll be glad to hear, it is an EASY PEASY change to make, that anyone can do!
Just what’s the problem with plastic straws???
Some may ask why are plastic straws an issue? Esp if they are a person who isn’t up to date with all things climate change or takes much of interest into issues affecting wildlife. However, there are plenty of reasons to do this because of the risk and damage it causes to humans – so because of that care about yourself and your loved ones, instead of the planet or animals, then maybe your question might change from “Why?” to “How?”
Why should I stop using plastic straws?
Here are some ‘plastic problems’ with straws:
- Did you know that BPA in plastic releases synthetic estrogen, causing lots of health risks to humans?
- Did you know most plastic straws are made out of polypropylene? A petroleum-based plastic requiring fossil fuel extraction – adding to C02 levels & climate change.
- Did you know that 1 single plastic straw takes 200 years to decompose?
- Did you know plastic straws are responsible for injuring & killing wildlife, esp endangered sea turtles, as they litter oceans?
Deciding to change your straw may feel small, but when all the straws you use add up, then they can make a damaging amount and that is just 1 person’s use.
I was as guilty as anyone, with straws in my daily smoothies as I drank the not so nice tasting green smoothies better with a straw & asking for straws in public bars/restaurants so I don’t have to put my mouth on glasses etc. That is more than 365 straws I would use in a year! Yes, I would put them in my recycling bin at home but most straws don’t make it through the recycling process they end up in landfills and oceans. I was determined to play my small part in the grand scheme of things.
It is estimated that Americans use 500 million plastic straws every single day!
Now I use the USA as the example as in the US it is more automatic that drinks are served with straws in, whereas in the UK you mostly have to actually ask if you want 1 or take 1 yourself from the straw holders openly available on many bar tops. However, the majority of these plastic straws used all over the world don’t get recycled and can end up clogging up our coastlines instead.
HOW to change to an eco-friendly straw instead of plastic straws:
Well once I decided I needed to make a change I researched online, entering into searches things like “eco-friendly straws” and surprisingly found quite a few options;
- Bamboo Straws
- Stainless Steel Straws
- Glass Straws
- Titanium Straws
- Silicon Straws
- Paper Straws
Materials I didn’t even think of, such as paper which sounded funny to me as it would be getting wet, I wouldn’t imagine paper straws being strong enough not to go floppy when wet & break. But that’s what straws used to be made of before plastic anyway!
I chose not to go for the experiment of paper and I went with a stainless steel straw & I’m more than happy with it – it’s easy to use, dishwasher safe or like me, you can buy straw cleaner brushes too!
Just how many plastic straws will stop being used if you replace it with an eco-friendly non-plastic straw?
“Eco Straw” who is an American company making glass straws. have a cool status bar at the bottom of their website telling you how many straws they have sold and the estimated amount of plastic straws those purchases have stopped being used.
Where can I find these eco-friendly plastic alternative straws?
There are so many options: different height straws, different colours, large smoothie straws, bent straws, straight straws, brushes and straw sleeves for transportation. For a more in-depth guide on specific companies and specific straws then “The Last Plastic Straw” has a great resource list (just click their name to go to it).
If you want a straw that’s closest to the ‘normal’ plastic straws usually offered then “Eco Products” sell compostable straws that are made from plant-based plastic. they even sell them individually wrapped for taking out with you or if you cater or own a business selling beverages maybe this is something you could investigate further.
Or for those of you who enjoy DIY then there are plenty of youtube videos on how to make your very own paper straws. Visit my Pinterest Board to watch a video “How to make paper drinking straws” There is a great hands-on science lesson there to share with children too!
Which eco-friendly material you use instead of the plastic straw is up to you – we all have different preferences.
Some may even buy a selection of mixed material eco-friendly straws…
- A large glass 1 for your morning smoothies at home.
- A portable stainless steel straw in its own holder bag to leave at your parents house when you pop in for a drink and a chat.
- Individually wrapped eco-friendly straws to carry around with you wherever you go.
- A straw with a bend in for a specific disability that makes using straight straws a problem.
With a deeper online search you will even find fun & creative, colourful straws for children too!
This really is an EASY PEASY change we can all make and all those little changes together can add up to make a huge difference! We are in this together – so please join me and STRAW SWAP the ECO-FRIENDLY way…
Why not now read my blog ‘3 Tips when deciding to go Plastic Free’ (click the blog title to go to post)
Or my Guide to a variety of reusable hot drinks cups: Top Choices for Reusable Coffee Cups! How to cut single-use plastics & enjoy your coffee the environmentally friendly & non toxic way…
Why not follow these Pinterest boards all about natural living and eco-friendly alternatives too:
Enjoy reading my posts and poems?
Then don’t miss out when new stuff is posted –Please click here to join my Email Mailing List to receive an email notification when a new blog is posted!
Why not come & follow my blogging footsteps on other Social Media Platforms(click on names to take you to the different media profiles):
Facebook Page / Bloglovin / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest / YouTube / Tumblr
Facebook: Fibromyalgia Awareness & Chronic Illness Support Group
👣 Helen's Journey 👣 
Great post with a very powerful message! I didn’t know about all these straw options. I just knew about the paper and stainless steel straws.
Thank you for sharing it!
I stopped using straw a few years back as well. I never ask for one in bars, but unfortunately, some bars and restaurants are still serving drinks with a straw. However, I noticed that some others either stop giving straws or switched to paper straws! I’m glad that bars and restaurants try to join the movement as well! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right – I was surprised too with just how many other options there were for non-plastic straws! 😶
I agree, seeing more and more bars and restaurants join in on alternative straws is great. Then there are the opposite ones that don’t even ask if you want one and just put one in your glass anyway = annoying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a good and important post! I never really used straws but especially when people do pre-drinks and such, plastic straws come into play and we really shouldn’t be using them. It’s nice to see how pubs and places are starting to use paper straws or other alternatives to the plastic straw too nowadays. Thanks for sharing this post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed it. Yes it is so good to see more and more companies, restaurant chains etc change to alternatives to plastic straws – a good example to show the others work just as well 👌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this post! It’s such a simple swap but it can make such a difference to our world! I have a set of metal rainbow straws that live in a pouch in my bag. Ready to be used at any time!
Jo | mindfuladventures.co.uk
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jo so glad you loved the post – your rainbow straws sound great & so handy for carrying around with you.
Other people seeing you bringing your own, might be persuaded to ‘plastic straw swap’ too 😉👌🙌
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this. Even the smallest change in a persons daily life can have such a big impact in the future. We don’t use straws that much here in India but I’m glad to see the cafe’s and restaurants implementing paper straws.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is so true – one person’s small change can have such an impact on the world, it is amazing!
It sure is great being given a paper straw in restaurants and bars more and more as companies play their part in making changes 👌🙌
LikeLike
We can lessen plastic usage even in small ways. Using Eco Straw in our fave drinks,’in that very simple way’we can help to preserve our mother earth.
Example of some Eco-friendly straws are https://www.worldofecologista.com/products
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes for sure, thats why I did this post showing lots of alternative uses for plastic straws as there are so many more than people think! Also my post on encouraging those small ways people can start to help with the plastic problem also: https://helensjourneysite.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/3-tips-when-deciding-to-go-plastic-free/
Every little bit helps 😉
LikeLike
It’s fab to learn a bit more about the alternatives, and there are actually more than I thought as I’d only seen either ‘no straw’ or ‘paper straw’ as options before. Paper ones that I’ve used have tasted a bit odd and ended up soggy really quickly, so it’d be fantastic for other alternatives to be made more readily available. Every little helps! 🙂
Caz xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree Caz, I’ve had a few paper straws get soggy & calapse. But I’ve also used some really good paper ones that can be reused for a few drinks & stay in tact and useable. Defo a trial & error thing I think, but has defo got better as more people experiment with design & use etc… My stainless steal 1 is still my fav that I use at home 👍 x
LikeLiked by 1 person