Check out sturdy straws for iced coffee and milkshakes here
Sustainable plastic-free straws for iced coffee and milkshakes
Since the implementation of the SUP legislation on July 3, 2021, as a hospitality owner, you've been increasingly searching for sustainable options for disposable items like straws. You might already be focusing more on sustainability and environmental awareness. These developments have led to a growing demand for sustainable alternatives to plastic in the hospitality and food service sectors. There are plastic-free alternatives for iced coffee straws and milkshake straws, but you might not be fully satisfied with the alternative you have chosen. Plastic straws are no longer allowed, and thick paper straws quickly become soggy in ice-cold drinks, which may leave you still searching for the best sustainable straw. Have you heard of reed straws? In this article, we discuss the sustainable reed straw and why we believe it's the best option for plastic-free iced coffee and milkshake straws!
Plastic straws have been a problem for years, ranking in the top 10 of the most collected litter in nature. The problem was that plastic does not break down, and when plastic disposable products remain in the environment as litter for a long time, it can even lead to microplastics. Since the problem became known, several manufacturers have started testing and researching good and sustainable alternatives to plastic straws. One alternative is bioplastic, such as PLA, cornstarch, or fermented bacteria. Bioplastic initially seems like a good solution to the polluting plastic straws, but in reality, it's not necessarily the case for your bar or restaurant.
Check out sturdy straws for iced coffee and milkshakes here
Why bioplastic straws might not be the best choice for your beach bar, restaurant, or bar
The reason why bioplastic straws like PLA or cornstarch might not be the best choice for your hospitality location.
Firstly, the appearance and impression it gives your customers and visitors. Bioplastic straws are user-friendly. They look a lot like plastic and are easy to produce, allowing you to get them in any length and specific diameter. We've also gotten used to plastic over the years, so bioplastic straws like PLA, starch, and fermented bacteria straws feel familiar. But what's the problem? Bioplastic straws look like plastic! Plastic is still plastic, whether it's bioplastic or not. Although you can technically say these straws are made from natural materials, they don't look natural. Some people won't mind, but true nature lovers won't be fans of bioplastic straws, which could lead to your staff having discussions with customers about the environmental friendliness of these straws.
The reason why bioplastic straws aren't necessarily good for the environment.
Secondly, and this might be even more important than the first point, why bioplastic straws aren't necessarily the right alternative for your hospitality location. Bioplastic straws like PLA, fermented bacteria, and PHA were once considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic straws. In some cases, they still are. Unfortunately, these straws aren't as sustainable as many think. The difference between bioplastic and plastic straws is that traditional plastic is made from fossil resources. Bio-based plastic comes wholly or partially from renewable resources from biomass. Unfortunately, plastic remains plastic.
Unfortunately, bioplastics require specific conditions to break down and can be just as harmful to the environment as traditional plastic. What happens if a cornstarch straw ends up in the sea, for example? Or in nature? This can be just as harmful as traditional plastic. Due to a lack of composting facilities, many bioplastics still end up in landfills and won't break down. There's a need for a sustainable solution—one that's workable for you as a restaurant owner, bar manager, or F&B manager, but also just as workable for the environment.
If plastic and bioplastic straws aren't good for the environment when they become litter, what are good alternatives to plastic straws?
There are quite a few environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic straws on the market. You have paper straws, bamboo straws, reusable stainless steel straws, and straws made from natural materials. If you're reading this article, chances are you're using paper straws or bioplastic straws but aren't entirely satisfied with them. Paper straws are a cheap alternative and look colorful in your milkshakes and iced coffees. Unfortunately, these types of straws fall apart quickly or become soggy, which detracts from the experience of the drinks you serve. Reusable stainless steel straws or bamboo straws are an option if you don't sell iced coffee and milkshakes as to-go items and if you have enough capacity to clean each straw. What are good options then?
Reed straws!
When you think of natural straws, you might wonder if the diameter is wide enough. No worries, reed straws are available in thick diameters!
Where can you buy XL straws for iced coffee?
Natural straws also come in all shapes and sizes. A common concern is that the diameters are thin or inconsistent. For example, straw straws are quite thin and therefore suitable for Fristi and chocolate milk bottles but not for milkshakes and smoothies.
XL straws are very long or very thick straws, and reed straws are also available in XL size. In our webshop, various XL straws for iced coffee and milkshakes are available!
What are reed straws?
Reed straws are literally made from reed stems. We use the plant stem of reed as a straw. These real straws are cut to the right sizes, then sterilized, dried, and packed!
How big are the XL reed straws?
XL reed straws come in multiple sizes, for example: 15 cm, 20 cm, and 25 cm. These straws have a thicker diameter of 9-11 mm. This wide diameter makes it easy to enjoy drinks like iced coffee and milkshakes.
Check out sturdy straws for iced coffee and milkshakes here
What is the difference between reed straws and bioplastic straws?
The main difference between reed straws and bioplastic straws is the material and compostability. Reed straws are completely natural and are made from reed stems. Bioplastic straws look like plastic but are partially made from renewable raw materials. Unfortunately, as we mentioned earlier, this doesn't automatically make bioplastic a sustainable option. Reed straws, on the other hand, are naturally compostable. As they are made entirely from natural materials, they don't require industrial composting facilities to break down. Simply toss them in your compost bin!
Why are reed straws so much better than bioplastic straws?
We believe reed straws are better than bioplastic straws because of their composition and appearance. These straws don't look like plastic. Customers immediately see that they are choosing a plastic-free straw that comes from nature. Reed straws are also suitable for cold drinks and won't become soggy or soft in iced coffee, milkshakes, or smoothies. Moreover, reed straws are made from natural materials and break down quickly, even in nature. Unlike bioplastics, reed straws don't require special facilities to compost, making them a truly sustainable solution for the hospitality industry.
Would you like to try reed straws?
Why choose reed straws for iced coffee and milkshakes?
Reed straws have all the qualities that a plastic straw or bioplastic straw lacks. They have a wide diameter, are long, and don't become soggy in milkshakes or iced coffee! They look natural and are therefore a plastic-free alternative to plastic and bioplastic straws. Reed straws are available in various lengths and diameters, making them suitable for iced coffee and milkshakes. They are plastic-free, biodegradable, and won't end up as microplastics in the environment, making them the most sustainable choice for your hospitality location.
Would you like to try reed straws?
