Don’t Be a Sucker: Some Alternatives to Plastic Straws

Plastic straws are usually made of polypropylene, a petroleum-based plastic that is not recyclable.

One plastic straw will not only exist beyond our lifetimes, but the lifetimes of future generations. So what’s the draw to the plastic straw? Part of the reason might be because we’ve been sucking on them since 1937, and go through over 480 million a day. So what can we do?

Bio and Chic Paper Straws

In the past two years, a campaign called #stopsucking, which is backed by numerous celebrities, has started to pick up momentum, with large organizations such as Marriott International, Tesco supermarkets, and Wetherspoon pubs taking notice and banning plastic straws from their establishments. Every time we use a plastic straw, we are killing our sea life and contaminating our oceans.

So, what are the best alternatives out there? Here are a few suggestions to help develop your eco footprint.

Bio and Chic Paper Straws

For a retro feel, the striped paper straws from BioAndChic.com, which come in a selection of colors and are a perfect alternative. Prices start at $24.65 for 500 pieces, and the company also offers deals on wholesale orders.

If the draw to the straw is great and mixing your beverage or sipping through a bar straw is essential, why not try an environmentally-friendly version, like PLA, a plant-based, biodegradable plastic? EcoProducts.com has some wonderful clear straws that are made from PLA and are fully compostable. A pack of 400 straws is only $10.46.

Greenstaurant.com has cocktail PLA straws (20,000 straws for $272.09), and will even help you find your nearest composting facility.