Wood fiber straws: an eco-friendly alternative to plastic

They are on the rise: bioplastic straws made from wood fibers and PHBV! If you are looking for a good alternative to plastic straws, you may have already come across wood fiber straws. We sometimes get asked how environmentally friendly wood fiber straws are and what we think about them. That's why in this article, we discuss the difference between wood fiber straws made of bioplastic and environmentally friendly reed straws!

All information and FAQs about reed straws can be found here.

Now, the frequently asked questions about wood fiber straws:

Wood fiber straws are made from wood fibers with the binder: PHBV. What is PHBV?

PHBV stands for Polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate and is a bioplastic made from bacteria. It is a type of biological material produced through a fermentation process using starch as a raw material, which involves the fermentation of plant sugars by bacteria. It is made from organic waste streams such as industrial wastewater and food scraps. PHBV is increasingly being used as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics and can be utilized for various applications, including making straws, plates, and cutlery.

Are wood fiber straws biodegradable?

Wood fiber straws are made from wood fibers, and to form these fibers into a straw, a binding agent is needed, which in this case is PHBV and can also be mixed with starch and cellulose. There are many types of PHBV, and not all of them are biodegradable. Most types of PHBV are biodegradable, but the time it takes for PHBV to biodegrade varies by type and also depends on what the material is mixed with. Pure PHBV, for example, can biodegrade in 60 days, but there are types that take 90 to 120 days to break down. If the PHBV is mixed with cellulose or starch, it becomes more challenging.

Wood fiber straws with PHBV are thus just straws made of bioplastic. Are wood fiber straws allowed in the EU in light of SUP legislation?

Disposable bioplastic straws are not allowed under the SUP rules. The European Commission states the following about PHA/PHBV material:

"Therefore, polymers that result from biosynthesis through human-induced cultivation and fermentation processes in industrial settings, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), are not considered natural polymers because they are not the result of a polymerization process that has occurred in nature. If a polymer is obtained through an industrial process, and the same type of polymer also occurs in nature, the manufactured polymer is generally not considered a natural polymer."

There are many developments in the field of bioplastic, compostable plastic, and biobased plastic. Therefore, a revision of these rules is expected in 2027, when more is known about the impact of these materials on the environment.

View the full regulations here.

Are wood fiber straws recommended by environmentalists?

Straws made from wood fibers or bamboo fibers are mixed with bioplastic such as PHA, PHBV, and lignin. They are somewhat more sustainable than traditional plastic. There are many types of PHBV and bioplastic whose environmental impacts are not yet fully understood. Environmentalists do not necessarily recommend wood fiber straws, as they are made of bioplastic. Moreover, straws with bioplastic are also prohibited according to SUP regulations.

Where can I buy sustainably responsible straws?

Try our straw and reed straws! These are literally just plant stems you can drink from! We have straws in multiple diameters, and each straw has a natural color! Check out the assortment here and order your set of straws!