Plastic Straws, Their Impact and Eco Friendly Alternatives

Learn about plastic straw alternatives this National Drinking Straw Day.

It’s no secret that single-use plastics are completely destroying our environment. It’s estimated that we use approximately 500 million plastic straws every day in America alone. At that rate, by the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, by weight. Since that video of the turtle with the straw stuck in its nose (you know what video we’re talking about) went viral, businesses and individuals are becoming more aware of the issue, and quicker to ‘say no’ to a plastic straw.

Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly, plastic straw alternatives for those who need to use, or just simply enjoy using, straws.

Silicone Straws

Silicone straws are plastic-free, made of BPA-free, food-grade silicone, so they’re completely safe to use. Most silicone straw sets come in multiple sizes, so that you can use them with thicker drinks like smoothies and milkshakes, as well as lighter liquids like coffee and water. They also come in different lengths, which work well with any size cup. Silicone straws are especially great for hot drinks, so you don’t burn your mouth while sipping. And if you’re a straw biter, the silicone will definitely satiate that habit!

Stainless Steel Straws

Stainless steel metal straws are the most durable and long-lasting of all of the eco-friendly alternatives. They’re especially great for drinking cold drinks because they keep your drink cold all the way through the straw, but they aren’t ideal for thick drinks. Stainless steel straws are perfect to throw in your bag to use while you’re on-the-go. This eco-friendly alternative pairs especially well with metal Yeti tumblers.

Glass Straws

Glass straws are our favorite for at-home use because they’re easy to clean, as you can actually see through them, and they don’t have any silicone or metal after-taste. But they’re not great for travelling or bringing to restaurants, as they can break more easily than the other straws in this list.

Collapsible Straws

The most genius invention: collapsible straws have to be the best eco-friendly alternative to plastic straws. There’s no excuse to forget your reusable straw at home with its carrying case; you can even clip it to your keys.