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Jun 15th, 2022 by Admin

Best Alternatives to Plastic straws

Due to growing plastic pollution, plastic is becoming the target of increasing government regulations. Due to this food companies are looking for the best alternatives to plastic straws.

There are various substitutes for plastic straws, therefore, choosing the best option for your food business can be confusing.

Some alternatives to plastic straws are durable, and some are more sustainable. So, to help you select the best one, below is the list of the 8 most common plastic alternatives for your business.

Plasticcollectors has been prepared the best Alternatives for plastic straws : 

1. Sip cup lids

Sip cup lids can replace the need for plastic straws entirely. These are dome-shaped lids having a sip-thru hole on the top. So, you can drink right from the top of the cup without inserting a straw or removing the cover.

The lids are made of PLA (Polylactic acid) or PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), which are easily recyclable. The sip cup lids form a tight seal on the cup, so you do not have to worry about spills or leakage. With dome shape of the sip cup lid, you can also get extra room for the whipped cream and froth.

The sip cup lids are eco-friendly and are the best alternative to plastic straws. These sip cups can be BPI certified to compost at commercial facilities, and the PET lids can be recycled at the curbside.

With the help of a clear lid design, you can showcase to the customer that the products you are using are one step ahead in reducing plastic waste.

2. Paper straws

Paper straws

Paper straws are the best single-use alternative to plastic straws. These straws can be easily compostable at commercial composting facilities. They can easily break down into organic materials, leaving a very small footprint on the earth.

Paper straws are available in different colors and sizes. Suppose you wish to display the sustainability efforts by using paper straws, in that case, you can make it obvious to your customers that you consider the full entire product lifecycle and are also making efforts to leave a tiny mark on the earth.

3. Bamboo straws

Bamboo is a renewable resource and making bamboo straws out of it is the best option for single-use straws. As the product is derived from bamboo stalks, they are environmentally friendly and can be easily composted.

4. PLA straws

PLA straws

PLA (Polylactic acid) straws are made from corn resin. Corn is a renewable resource, making PLA straws more sustainable than plastic straws. Also, PLA straws perform similarly to plastic straws and are very flexible. These straws can be sold wrapped or without packing. If these PLA straws are sold in packing it will save them from contamination.

5. Metal straws

Metal straws are durable and are meant to be used multiple times. These straws are made from stainless steel or aluminum. Metal straws are also dishwasher safe. However, these straws are not safe for older people and kids. It will be better to serve any beverage to old people and kids with another straw option.

6. Glass straws

Glass straws

Glass straws are generally made from borosilicate. It is the same type of glass used for kitchenware like coffee pots and glassware. The material used is highly durable and is dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe.

You can use glass straws for both hot and cold beverages. Unlike other straws, glass straws are hypoallergenic. But, before using the glass straws, make it a point to not allow the kids to use the glass straws as it may cause harm to their teeth and gums.

7. Silicone straws

These straws are made from food-grade silicone, which is non-harmful. Silicone straws are BPA-free and are non-plastic materials. Silicone straws are a great option for food outlets that serve children, people with disabilities, or seniors.

They are soft as compared to glass and metal straws. So, no need to worry about accidents like biting a hard straw and hitting the teeth. These straws are dishwasher safe and can withstand a temperature of 500 degrees. To offer extra sanity, they can also be boiled for some time.

8. Reusable plastic straws

Reusable plastic straws

Plastic straws which can be reused are made from polypropylene. These straws are thicker than ordinary single-use plastic straws but are not so hard as metal or glass straws. These straws can be reused multiple times. The reusable plastic straws are dishwasher safe.

 

Wrap Up

Finding the best alternatives to plastic straws depends on the business goals and customer needs. Here glass and metal straws are the best options if you are looking for reusable straws. However, for single use, you can go for PLA straws, bamboo straws, paper straws, and sip cup lids.

You should consider the cost when choosing glass and metal straws as they are more expensive than silicone straws. But PLA, paper, and bamboo straws are very cost-effective.

You should always look forward to streamlining eco-friendly foodservice options in your business. It can be complex, but a huge variety of sustainable food service items are designed to help you.

Just remember the business goals and the necessary factors you want to consider to make a wise choice. You will surely get the best alternatives to plastic straws.

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