What’s The Deal With Reusable Straws?

Why you should care

Over 500 million plastic straws are used every day in the US, and every plastic straw that exists today will exist in the future.

By Hey Social Good

These days, everyone around is talking about paper straws, stainless steel straws, bamboo straws, and bioplastic straws too. What’s the deal with straws? Is it really a problem? Well……With over 500 million plastic straws used and thrown away every day, this means over 182 billion straws are thrown away by 330 million Americans. Unfortunately, plastic straws don’t biodegrade, but get dumped in a landfill or blown away into a park or river where they stay forever.

Most straws end up in the ocean, contributing to 13 million tons of plastic entering marine waters each year. Seeing hundreds of millions of plastic floating in our oceans is not how we think about our blue water oasis. Since straws are light, small, and thin, they can get stuck in animals trying to eat it as food, get caught in kelp forests and coral reefs, and stay embedded in our waters and soil…forever.

There’s a ton of awesome alternatives so start trying them out and find your favorite? We feel glass straws surprisingly make beverages taste better. But maybe you’ll love bamboo, stainless steel, or glass.

Do One Thing

Refuse straws when ordering a beverage. Let’s be honest, they are a nice to have. And if it’s a need, then carry a reusable straw alternative.

Better Straw Materials

Paper. Eco-Pliant-sturdy cardboard straws made of paper are an option.  And, yes, they can get soggy, but for a quick drink they are a great biodegradable option.

Glass. Handcrafted glass straws can be used again and again, and might taste better. Check out a fave brand that’s now everywhere:

Stainless Steel and Silicone. Strong, sturdy and long-lasting materials, these straws can really tough out your daily wear and sips.

Better Straw Brands To Sip From

Simply Straw, Gold Medal Giveback & Gold Medal Sustainability 

These sustainably made, multi-colored straws support many great causes, from breast cancer research to environmental initiatives.

Klean Kanteen, Gold Medal Giveback & Gold Medal Sustainability 

This clean line of silicone tipped stainless steel straws are reusable and super comfortable for sipping (yeah, we know, that’s the straw’s function). They support actively conservation of our American Rivers, research on plastic waste and push for clean water initiatives.

Keywords: Reusable straw; eco-friendly straw; straws; single use plastic; plastic free oceans; paper straw; stainless steel straw; bamboo straw; microplastics; Eco-Pliant-sturdy cardboard straws; cardboard straws