What’s the best choice for compostable straws: paper straws or 100% plant-based?
Paper straws are better than single-use plastic straws but they have their limitations. See why you should consider compostable plant-based biopolymer straws.
The 5,000-year-old tradition that began as gold tubes to consume beer, today is an obvious food services accessory. Cold beverages and fancy cocktails served without straws are almost unimaginable.
But it’s estimated 500 million plastic straws are used every single day in the US, causing an estimated 8.3 billion plastic straws to pollute the world’s beaches each year.
The ban on plastic straws has already gained momentum as a global trend across countries and service businesses, with consumers pushing for change. Starbucks, McDonald’s, Burger King, and many others have realized the pressing urgency for improving global waste management systems. But when it comes to compostable straws, what’s your best option: paper or biopolymer?
The soggy side of paper straws
Paper straws have been a great addition to a healthier planet vision as they do not need 200 years to decompose like plastic straws. While biodegradable and compostable, they come with limitations.
The limitations of paper straws
- Tend to lose shape and get soggy
- Can leave a bad taste in your mouth, often from the glue used to put them together
- Require more energy and resources to manufacture than plastic straws
- May not be recyclable
- Some paper straws have wax and film coating, affecting their decomposing time.
- May contain chroropropanols that can be carcinogenic and mutagenic or reprotoxic chemicals
- May contain PFAs
Plant-based biopolymer straws are cheaper than paper, better than plastic.
Made from renewable resources such as corn starch, compostable biopolymer straws are a great sustainable alternative to plastic straws. Unlike paper straws, biopolymer straws do not get soggy when wet. They look, feel and function the same as plastic straws but are commercially compostable.
Compared to other compostable straws, Evanesce® straws are made from high-quality polymer blends, and are manufactured in the USA.
Top features of Evanesce’s compostable straws include:
- Certified BPI compostable
- Free from BPA, phthalates and other plasticizers
- Superior functional strength. No more soggy straws!
- Available for cold beverages (up to 122°F/50°C) and in heat resistant for hot drinks (up to 176°F/80°C)
- Multiple options including straight, cocktail and cut-tip
- Available in various colors and sizes
- Customizable printing available on packaging
Get superior compostable straws that are affordable.
If you’re looking for compostable straw options, there is more than just paper. When 80% of consumers say that sustainability is an important factor in their purchasing decisions – meet this growing demand with a solution that’s better than plastic and cheaper than paper. Our compostable straws are locally made, use best-in-class plant resins and offer superior quality. Best of all, they are affordable!
Contact our sales team to get started. Request a sample to see the quality for yourself.
About Brett Featherston
Brett Featherston is the Global VP of Sales at Evanesce with 20 years of experience leading marketing and sales team, with a customer-centric and results-oriented approach. Brett is passionate about making a significant impact on the environment while doing what he does best – meeting customer needs and delivering high-quality service. Connect with Brett on LinkedIn.
