Last Updated on November 24, 2024 by Shavy Jain
Across the world, there are up to 8.3 billion plastic straws strewn on beaches. Plastic straws can have catastrophic effects on animals and sealife when not disposed of properly. More than half of the world’s sea turtle population is estimated to ingest plastic.
In recent years, there has been a promising response to increasing concerns over the harmful effects of single-use plastic. One of these shifts has involved brainstorming brilliant, sustainable solutions to the traditional plastic straw.
We’ve seen innovative approaches combine to lead the way on all kinds of great alternatives to plastic. As environmental awareness continues to spread, more people are choosing to skip single-use straws in favor of reusable straws instead. In this blog, we’ve listed out the 10 of the best kinds of eco-friendly straws in recent years, and where you can find them in the market.
Why Choose an Eco-Friendly Straw?
Skipping a cheap, single-use straw in favor of an eco-friendly alternative may seem like a simple measure, and you may even wonder if it’s too small to matter. The good news is that every little act of sustainability really does make a difference. Switching to eco-friendly straws can drastically shrink your environmental footprint in a tangible, impactful way by:
- Reducing personal plastic waste.
- Reducing the demand for one-time-use plastic products.
- Promoting renewable, eco-friendly products as an alternative solution.
- Discontinuing the use of harmful chemicals like BPA.
As a bonus, reusable straws may be more cost-effective, durable and aesthetically pleasing to enjoy with your drink of choice.
10 Best Types of Eco-Friendly Straws
From classic reusable materials to out-of-the-box solutions, these 10 eco-friendly straws offer significant sustainable advantages over traditional disposable plastic. Some options you may be familiar with already, and some ingenious takes on the straw are sure to surprise you. You might even come across a few that sound good enough to take a nibble.
1. Natural Agave Straws
Natural agave makes for excellent, creative, eco-friendly straws. Made from agave and plant-based fibers, these biodegradable straws are BPA-free and consist of natural, organic pigments that decompose quickly.
The durable structure makes agave straws excellent for both hot and cold drinks, as they hold their shape without leaving any soggy residue. Note that while natural agave sounds delicious, these straws are not edible!
Where to Find Natural Agave Straws
You can purchase eco-friendly natural agave straws from Greenprint at a competitive price for a 2,000-count bulk purchase.
Greenprint offers different agave straw options, including black and natural color options. These come in standard, jumbo and boba styles with varying diameters. They also run in cocktail, regular or long sizes to mix and match, depending on your preferences.
All fibers used are FSC-certified, so you can count on getting the best agave straws from Greenprint.
Explore the key features of agave straws from Greenprint below:
| Landfill degradable | Greenprint’s Agave-based straws degrade in one to three years in a landfill. |
| Versatile straw diameters | Get agave straws in three different sizes, including standard (6-millimeter diameter), jumbo (8-millimeter diameter) and boba (10-millimeter diameter) |
| Three lengths available | You can get Greenprint straws in regular and long sizes, as well as shorter cocktail options. |
| Suited for hot and cold beverages | Whether you’re sipping warm tea or iced coffee, agave straws are suited for various temperatures. |
2. Metal Straws
One of the most eco-friendly straws and a potent alternative to plastic straw Metal straws. Seen often as a popular choice for those sipping on a refreshing cold drink, like an iced tea or a cocktail, these are reusable, last long, and best to keep around your home. Keep in mind that because metal conducts heat, these eco-friendly straws shouldn’t be used with hot drinks.
Sleek, smooth and durable, metal straws keep their shape no matter how long they’re submerged in your drink. They are dishwasher friendly and can be rinsed and reused limitless times for a highly sustainable result.
Where to Find Metal Reusable Straws
You can find your choice of reusable stainless steel straws at retailers like Klean Kanteen, which offers multipacks with accompanying brushes.
3. Bent Silicone Straws
We’re sure you’ve heard of eco-friendly straws made of silicone. Silicone straws have plenty of benefits to offer, including flexibility, resilience and a long shelf life. You can reuse silicone straws many times over, as their material can handle high temperatures and bounce back well from wear and tear. As a bonus, bent silicone straws have a fun and durable texture that makes them great for use with younger children.
Where to Find Silicone Straws
You can find deals on silicone straws on Amazon and other online sellers, where you can order enough for the whole family.
Also Read: Top 10 Plastic Cup Ornaments, The Ultimate Green Crafter’s Guide
4. Paper Straws
Paper straws were one of the earliest and most widely adopted alternatives to plastic, and it’s easy to see why. They’re typically low-cost and easy to find.
Many paper straws are biodegradable and made from renewable materials, making them a popular choice for restaurants and chains looking to go green. However, double-check before you recycle, as some paper straws feature a plastic lining that makes them unsuitable for paper recycling.
One downside of paper straws that has some people seeking an alternative is the lack of durability. Thinner paper straws tend to get soggy quickly when they come into contact with liquid, which means they can fall apart before you have time to finish sipping your drink. Choosing thicker paper straws, like those made of material resembling cardboard, will help you avoid this!
Where to Find Paper Straws
Due to the ubiquitous nature of paper straws, the odds are high that you’ll be able to find a set in any party or big box store. You can also order online at party retailers like Sweets & Treats.
5. Hard Plastic Straws
Not all plastic straws are made equal. Unlike classic, flimsy plastic straws that are designed for one-time use and then tossed in the trash can, hard plastic straws are made to be reused. A high-quality hard plastic straw should be durable and damage-resistant, ready to handle high temperatures and face the dishwasher repeatedly.
Of course, they are ultimately not biodegradable, so once it does come time to dispose of hard plastic straws, you know they’ll ultimately be added to the growing plastic pile.
Where to Find Plastic Reusable Straws
You can find your choice of hard plastic straws, often in a fun variety of colors and styles, from many different in-store and online retailers. Walmart offers a budget-friendly selection of reusable drinking straws, which includes a brush so you can easily clean your eco-friendly straws between every use.
Also Read: DIY Eco-Friendly Solutions for Fresh Laundry
6. Grass Straws
Another fantastic sustainable and biodegradable option is a grass straw. Made naturally from dried grass, this out-of-the-box alternative is another way to go green in your everyday life. Sedge grass is the most commonly used type of grass for this straw. Depending on the brand you use, you may even enjoy a little extra leaf scent as you sip your drink so you can really lean into the natural approach.
The fibrous nature of grass makes for durable, eco-friendly straws that won’t bend or wilt as you drink.
Where to Find Grass Drinking Straws
As grass eco-friendly straws are less common than some other plastic alternatives, it might be a little trickier to find them in-store. Amazon offers a selection of disposable grass straws online for you to choose from.
7. Rice Drinking Straws
Compostable rice straws are a fun alternative to mix up your beverage-drinking game. Created using a combination of rice and tapioca starch, rice straws are resilient, compostable and all-natural. The basic ingredients mean that rice straws are fully edible — so you can just enjoy a little snack after you drink.
Rice straws are designed to biodegrade quickly on their own, so you can just compost after a one-time use with total peace of mind.
Where to Find Rice Straws
You can find home-compostable, sustainable rice drinking straws from Amazon. These options take just a few weeks to decompose once disposed of in the soil and can last for hours in a drink while keeping their shape.
8. Glass Straws
Who doesn’t feel a little fancier drinking from a glass straw? Perfect for hot and cold drinks alike, glass straws are visually appealing and particularly fun if you’ve got a colored drink like a summery cocktail.
As a bonus, glass straws don’t conduct heat in high temperatures, so they’re perfect to use whether you’re sipping a hot chocolate or enjoying an ice-cold lemonade. The strong glass material also means your straw will retain its shape without getting soft while you’re drinking.
The biggest perk of a glass drinking straw, however, is that it’s a reusable and environmentally friendly choice for your home. Simply clean your straw after each use, dry and then get ready to use again.
Of course, as with any fragile product, take extra care when using your straws to avoid breaking the glass. This means a glass straw might not be the best choice for children or traveling.
Where to Find Glass Reusable Straws
Eden & Willow offers a deal on a set of reusable clear glass straight drinking straws, which come with a free cleaning brush to make sure you’re giving your eco-friendly straws a thorough refresh between uses.
9. Wheat Drinking Straws
You’ve got agave, grass and rice to choose from — why not add wheat into the mix, too? Wheat drinking straws are emerging onto the scene as another sustainable, waste-reducing straw option.
The manufacturing process itself speaks to a sustainable straw life cycle. Manufacturers will start by collecting leftover wheat stems from farmers’ fields, then size them into drinking straws and sterilize them using a chemical-free method — voila, there’s your all-natural, farm-to-table straw!
Wheat straws typically break down naturally when composted, so they’re entirely biodegradable. Unlike a grass straw, wheat tends to be tasteless and scent-free.
Where to Find Wheat Drinking Straws
Amazon offers a package of all-natural wheat drinking straws designed to be disposable and biodegradable. As a bonus, both the product and the packaging are plastic-free, as Amazon uses a plant-based dust bag.
10. Coffee Straws
This is the final straw. See what we did there?
Last but certainly not least, coffee straws are a unique alternative to the traditional. They’re typically made by combining coffee grounds with a concoction of other biodegradable materials, like plant-based fibers, starches and natural resins. Manufacturers then mold the mix into a straw shape.
This off-the-wall solution is a great way to reduce ground coffee waste, and also serves as an example of a circular, renewable life cycle. Because these eco-friendly straws are biodegradable, they’ll break down organically without contributing to the plastic straw pileup.
As a bonus, they tend to hold onto the faint but unmistakable aroma of coffee, making it a fun addition to an iced or hot cup of joe.
Where to Find Coffee Straws
These lesser-known items are hard to come by, but you can find coffee-drinking straws online from Grounds for Good in a range of straw styles, sizes and quantities depending on your preferences.
Switch to Your Choice of Eco-Friendly Straws
Ready to make a big difference with just a little change? Swapping out plastic straws for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives is a fantastic way to do your part and go green. Keep in mind, you’re preventing a plastic straw from ending up in our natural resources with each use of a reusable or compostable option. Just think how many that could add up to over the course of a year, let alone a decade.
Armed with information about the 10 best eco-friendly straws, consider which one might be the best option for your preferences and lifestyle. Do not forget your everyday straw choices can make a tangible impact moving forward!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are eco-friendly straws made of?
Eco-friendly straws are made from a variety of sustainable materials. Paper straws are biodegradable and compostable. Bamboo straws are natural, reusable, and biodegradable. Stainless Steel straws offer durability and reusability. Glass straws are stylish, reusable, and easy to clean. Silicone straws are flexible, reusable, and dishwasher-safe. Wheat/Grass straws are natural and compostable, while Agave straws provide a unique biodegradable option crafted from agave fiber
2. Why should I use eco-friendly straws?
Eco-friendly straws reduce plastic waste, minimize pollution, and protect marine life and ecosystems. They are an easy and effective way to adopt environmentally friendly habits.
3. What are agave straws?
Agave straws are eco-friendly straws made from the leftover fibers of agave plants used in tequila production. They are biodegradable, compostable, and durable enough for extended use in cold and hot drinks.
4. Are agave straws better than paper straws?
Yes, agave straws tend to be more durable than paper straws, maintaining their structure longer without getting soggy. They are a great option for those who want biodegradable straws with added longevity.
