Paper Straws, Do They Really Help the Environment?

© Starbucks

 Plastic straws, which are said to be used more than 500 million times a day in the United States alone, have caused various environmental problems, and are being replaced by paper straws as governments promote eco-friendly policies and companies expand their ESG management. When you go to a cafe, you will find paper straws in your drink cup. However, when you drink a drink with a paper straw that is supposed to protect the environment, it becomes soggy and soggy, and you end up throwing away the paper straw and just drinking the drink. Recently, Starbucks' paper straws were recalled because they smelled like gasoline, which begs the question. Are paper straws really helping the   environment?

© YTN

 Plastic straws are classified as recyclable, but polypropylene, the material they are made of, is not recycled because it has no recycling value. Paper straws biodegrade in 150 to 200 days, making them relatively easier to break down, compostable, and cheaper than plastic. Paper straws are also much less likely to harm marine animals than plastic straws because they are a more flexible material than plastic.

© Northwestern

 However, once used, paper straws become soggy and contaminated and end up in the same place as non-recyclable trash. Not only that, but a recent European study analyzed a variety of paper straw products and found that 90% of them contain chemicals that make them difficult to biodegrade. These chemicals are responsible for the gasoline smell of Starbucks straws. The chemicals in paper straws are called PFASs, which are hydrocarbons with the basic backbone of hydrogen replaced by fluorine. While the concentration of PFAS in paper straws is negligible, the researchers warn that it can trigger negative chemical reactions in the body. Companies say paper straws made from plant-based materials are more sustainable and eco-friendlier than plastic straws, but this is far from the case.

 

 Sure, it's great to use paper straws to help the environment, but there's no need to risk your health and compromise the flavor of your drink. So why not try algae straws? LOLIWARE, an American company, crushes algae into fine pellets that are then mixed with shell powder and minerals, and the pellets are processed to make straws. Once the algae are transformed into a plastic-like shape and texture, the straws can hold their shape in liquid for up to 18 hours, according to the company. The algae straws are also compatible with existing plastic production equipment, allowing for mass production in a short period  of time.

LOLIWARE ‘s Blue Carbon/ © LOLIWARE

 Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility. Small efforts can make a big difference, and we must work together to ensure a sustainable future. Protecting the environment starts with adjusting our lifestyles and habits and raising awareness about the environment.

 

Shin Ji Ho (1-5)¹ | Staff Reporter

---

1) 10512shinjiho@gmail.com