Although you can use your lips to drink, some people have medical issues, which means they need to use straws to drink. Silicone straws are best to replace plastic ones, as they are similar to use, and conduct temperature better than steel straws (which also don’t flex, so should not be used on the move or for people with dexterity issues).
Colourful Silicone Straws from The Netherlands
This set of multi-coloured silicone straws (The Netherlands) includes a cup guide to help you cut to size for whisky glasses, short tumblers, cocktail glasses or children’s drinks. Dishwasher-safe and sold with a cotton bag. Silicone straws look and feel like plastic straws (silicone does use fossil fuels with sand to make, but these straws are food-safe, last years and are easy to recycle.
Single-use plastic straws are (apart from for medical issues) now banned for UK sale, but still legal to sell in many countries (you could always use your lips to drink!) If you prefer straws, invest in a reusable one to sea turtles getting them stuck up nostrils. Get remaining straws (and plastic cups) out of your town forever with a recycling box from Terracycle or ReFactory.
The size and shape of straws means they miss ‘catching systems’ so end up in the sea, where they puncture soft-bellied creatures or are eaten by filter feeders. Straw waste accounts for 10% of all ocean plastic (one clean-up on US shorelines found 7.5 million plastic straws).
Reusable Silicone Drinking Straws
This pack of silicone drinking straws are the ideal alternative to plastic drinking straws (banned for sale in the UK, but still around in their millions and used elsewhere in the world). Silicone is a food-grade alternative to plastic. Made from a blend of sand and fossil fuels, it lasts for years, is easy-to-recycle and is the nearest alternative to single-use plastic.
The straws are sold alongside a cleaning brush, in an organic cotton carry pouch. Made fairly in China and shipped by sea, a portion from each sale goes to Marine Conservation Society. Dishwasher-safe.
Reusable Bamboo Drinking Straws
Jungle Culture bamboo straws are sold in a set of 6, in a hessian carry case. Handmade by a small artisan family farm in rural Vietnam, these straws are strong and durable, and dishwasher-safe. The set includes a cleaning guide and eco craft box. The straws are suitable for juice, soda and cocktails, with extra-wide straws for smoothies and mylkshakes.
Eco-Friendly Straws (made from pasta!)
Stroodles Pasta Straws last around an hour (not for hot drinks, as they would go soggy. Made in Italy, they can be composted after use, or just cook and eat them! Not for gluten allergies (or children/swallowing difficulties). The company also makes edible bowls and cups (which apparently taste like Ryvita!) And has recently introduced rice straws.
A Box of Biodegradable Wheat Straws
These biodegradable wheat straws are an ideal alternative to paper disposable straws (plastic straws are now banned in the UK for single-use sale but still sold worldwide). Sold in packs of 150, these are ideal for festivals, parties and weddings.
These straws use little energy to make, and end of use you can just pop them in the compost bin. Unlike paper straws, ‘straw straws’ don’t go soggy! But handle with care, as they can split if you are too rough with them.
Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw Lid
This stainless steel tumbler with straw lid is the ideal alternative to disposable water bottles or coffee cups. Made from durable materials, the innovative design made of mostly recycled stainless steel ensures the tumbler resists rust and wear, better than plastic or glass alternatives. It also features unique Climate Lock™ insulation, which keeps your drinks cold.
The ergonomic design fits snugly in your hand or car cupholders, and the fun colours add a playful touch. Ideal for cold water, smoothies or even cocktails, the tumbler is perfect for active lifestyles and a great choice for picnics or beach days. The tumbler even includes a reusable straw.
Reusable water bottles break down into microplastics that are ingested by marine creatures. Disposable coffee cups waste trees due to cardboard, and contain plastic linings that are difficult to recycle, and again break down into microplastics, if littered on the street.