Lindsey Blogs

Eco Friendly Straws: It’s Time to Ditch the Plastic Straws

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If you love to drink from a straw, but hate the waste that using disposable straws produces, there are eco friendly straws available for you! Check out the 4 different options that you can start using today and can take with you anywhere you go!

ditch plastic straws with these eco friendly straws

I love drinking out of a straw. Give me a cup with a straw and I’ll drink twice as much water in a day. I have no idea why, but it’s just something I’ve always preferred. But one thing I don’t prefer is the amount of waste that using disposable straws causes.

I’m not alone there either. Did you know that some cities have outlawed plastic straws? In fact, there’s a bill in the works to outlaw plastic straws in the entire state of California right now.

The biggest issue with plastic straws is the fact that they aren’t even recyclable. Add to that fact that the average American uses at least 2 straws a day which means that 500 million plastic straws are trashed each and every single day in America*.  Staggering, right?!

But what do people like me that LOVE to drink out of a straw do when we come to the realization that they are SO wasteful? You start researching eco friendly straws, of course!

ditch plastic straws for eco friendly options

Types of Eco Friendly Straws

Glass

I’ve actually been using eco friendly straws in my home for almost 6 years now. The first I tried was glass straws from Glass Dharma and they are still my favorite reusable straws to use. They basically still look brand new and are much more durable than you might imagine glass straws would be.

reasons to love glass straws from glass dharma

They can be used with color or hot liquids and are actually dishwasher safe. I prefer to hand wash mine, though.


Stainless Steel

Stainless steel straws are probably the most well known of plastic straw alternatives. They are easy to wash, can be used with hot or cold liquids, and you don’t have to worry about breaking that you might with glass straws. They are also a little less expensive than glass straws. While I do like these type of straws, I don’t use them as often just because I don’t like the feeling of stainless steel hitting my teeth or the sound they make when bumping against Yeti style cups.


Paper

Adorable paper straws are all the rage when it comes to birthday parties and smoothie photos, but they are also a great eco friendly straw option too. Since they’re paper, they are biodegradable. However, they definitely don’t have the long life of glass or stainless steel straws.

Mickey Mouse Party bottled drinks with decorative paper straws

These paper straws were party of the decor in our Mickey Mouse Birthday Party.

Bamboo

I haven’t had personal experience with Bamboo eco friendly straws, but they are definitely an option and a perfect way to get back to the basics. They are biodegradable, extremely strong and durable by nature, and contain NO inks or dyes. Bamboo straws won’t break, like glass straws, but are NOT dishwasher safe.

How to take your eco friendly straws anywhere

You don’t just have to make the change to eco friendly straws at home either. In fact, once you start taking your straws with you, that’s when you’ll see the biggest impact. The easiest way I’ve found to take along my straws is to keep them in my favorite Ozark tumbler that goes with me everywhere.

Another option is a sleeve like this one, made from 100% hemp, from Glass Dharma.

glass straws can be taken with you for an eco friendly straw

It’s made with a sleeve style, which protects your straw by folding over it to be sure it doesn’t fall out in your bag. As with anything delicate, you’ll want to be extra careful if you choose to put your glass straws in a bag, but the others would be a lot more durable for travel.

One of my all time favorite quotes goes perfectly with this conversation.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

While a few straws a day might not seem like a huge change compared to the 500 million that are thrown away each day, it really is. And you’re a great motivator for others who see you toting around your favorite style of eco friendly straw!

*Source: https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/14/world/plastic-straws-ban-campaigns/index.html

Comments

  3. I remember when I was a kid paper straws were the normal thing. We use stainless straw and have for about the last year.

  4. I like the paper straws. It reminds me of the good old days. Am I aging myself, lol? Thanks for sharing!

  5. i would love to take them i go inot place and sthey do not have strws wow ica pull myown out

  8. Thanks for this! I took the pledge. It’s a good reminder to be mindful of one’s actions.

  10. I signed the pledge and I’m really excited to get my straw in the mail and give it a try. I love drinking with a straw but I refuse to spend money on disposable straws. I’ve gotten some plastic re-usable straws but they start to crack and split after a few months of use.

  11. Now why didn’t I think of using a sleeve for reusable straws? These are so awesome.

  13. I haven’t tried these yet, but I definitely signed the pledge! I’m excited to give them a go!

  14. I’ve been really wanting to try glass straws. I signed the pledge so hopefully I’ll finally get to try one.

  16. I love this concept, and it’s great they have stuff like carriers for the straw. Nice product!

  18. I have not used a glass straw yet. I have a tendency to bite on my straws so hopefully this will break 2 bad habits; biting straws and using disposable straws. I also pledged!

  20. I received a straw from Glass Dharma several years ago and I love it! It’s so fashionable and I agree that the plastic straws are just not as special. I have yet to travel with my straw though but will have to check out this case.

  21. I’ve never tried glass straws but I signed the pledge and I can’t wait to receive and try my first glass straw!

  23. Thank you I signed the Pledge and looking forward to getting my straw, these are a wonderful idea I want a set with Blue DOTs, will have to check back later on these..

  24. I signed the pledge and I have never used glass straws but think they are a great idea.

  25. Oh yes! I have six Glass Dharma straws. Here’s a real hint. Go to ‘underground’ on the site here: http://www.glassdharma.com/underground/index.htm and you can also order special super skinny glass straws that will fit the those plastic thermal cups for iced coffee or in Starbucks cups. That is my new fave Glass Straw thing, a glass straw in a plastic cup!

  27. I have never tried them, but would love to! I haven’t taken the pledge, but thinking about it! 🙂

  33. I did sign the pledge bc Ive never tried these before and Id love to! they look awesome and not using plastic and other disposible materials is important to me

  34. I can’t find the question to answer for the giveaway, but I did sign the pledge and I am looking forward to using my glass straw instead of plastic ones!

  35. I have seen these before and think they are great! I like how big they are and the carry case!

  37. We love our glass straws. I think my first introduction was on a blog. I entered a contest and won, and we’ve been hooked since. I also signed the pledge. Heading on over now to look at the hemp sleeves. We use reusable bottles, but I sometimes think about traveling with a straw. Great idea.

  39. I’ve seen stainless steel straws, but not glass ones. I totally love this! I’m not a fan of plastic, so these would be great to have!

  40. Thank you for posting this! I will definitely look into Glass Dharma! My husband has been asking me to buy some straws for around the house, but the disposable ones are so wasteful and I do not want to buy plastic because of BPA.

  41. I hadn’t paid much attention to glass straws because I only use them at restaurants, but I may have to check them out.

  43. I loved my straws from Glass Dharma until my kids managed to break them all! Just signed the pledge so will be happy to have a new straw soon 🙂

  45. This is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing! I use straws all the time, but I’ve never heard of a glass one! This will definitely be a favorite thing in my kitchen!

  46. I need to start doing this again. I used to take mine everywhere – for all 5 of us. And I loved it too – not having to grab a straw! But we (the kids) have broken a couple this way from being dropped…so I stopped. Love the idea and think I’ll start it up again. 🙂

Trackbacks

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