Straw Crazy!
FACT: The world sips through 1 billion straws a day.
Between the US and UK alone, we use 550 million plastic drinking straws every 24 hours!!…and straws don’t decompose for a very long time.
Good reasons to say no to plastic straws:
- They are an environmental menace as they take 200 years to break down.
- When they eventually do breakdown, the tiny plastic microparticles end up everywhere, from our food chain to our tap water.
- They can’t be recycled.
- Globally the world goes through 1 billion straws a day.
- Scientists reckon 1 million seabirds, 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die when they entangle themselves in, or ingest plastic pollution.
- McDonalds serves a drink to 3.5 million people a day in the UK. That’s 3.5 million straws a day from McDonalds alone.
Obviously the ideal solution would be to get everyone to stop sucking! However, for those that prefer to keep using a straw, take a look at some great eco-friendly alternatives to the plastic variety – with reusable and biodegradable options to suit everyone. Swapping plastic straws for straws made of paper, glass, bamboo or metal is definitely the way forward…
Bamboo straws
‘Bambaw’ make bamboo straws that are reusable and biodegradable. They are handmade in Bali from whole bamboo, which is an easy to grow and sustainable crop. These eco-friendly, plastic free straws can be used in hot and cold drinks. Find sets of 12 straws for £8.49 on Amazon, complete with their own cleaning brush!
Stainless steel straws
‘Sucka’ make stainless steel straws that come in a case and are one of the best reusable straws on the market. Sucka straws are offered in a range of lovely metallic colours and are either bent in shape or straight. They are dishwasher safe and cost from around £2.99 each or three for around £9.99 with a reusable linen bag.
Glass straws
‘StrawGrace’ straws are handmade, safe and strong. The glass used is the same as that used in Pyrex dishes, so it is incredibly hardy. They come in sets of five and have pretty coloured ends, they are BPA (chemical) free, eco-friendly, dishwasher safe and shatterproof. Each packet comes with a year guarantee. Set of 5 with cleaning brush £9.95.
Wheat straws
From a British drinking straw brand, ‘The Wheat Straws Company’. These are made of wheat and are non-porous, so they don’t go mushy for hours! Each one is 100% natural, compostable and biodegradable and they are gluten free too! 250 straws for £11.99
Silicone straws
Pastel coloured, reusable straws made from silicone. They are BPA, lead and phosphate free and you can clean them with the brush that comes with each pack or put them in the dishwasher. Lots of choice on Amazon…
“All it takes is for people to be aware that there are alternatives to plastic straws, and to say no if they are offered a plastic one in a pub or a restaurant”
Let’s help change the world. One straw at a time…
