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

April 12, 2018 by Lindsey G. 51 Comments

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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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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