The disabled community has been speaking up about the serious issues caused if plastic straws are banned, We’re not opposed to saving the oceans, and we’re not selfish. We just think that a reasonable alternative needs to be developed and in place before phasing out plastic straws. And we’re not the only group facing adverse effects from banning plastic straws.
Who else needs to worry? People with food allergies and insensitivities. They need a reasonable alternative too.
Does Your Straw Have Allergens?
Straw ban discussions have focused on the composition of non-biodegradable plastic straws but have not closely examined the ingredients in the alternatives. As a result, potential allergy and food sensitivity concerns are being overlooked. The plant-based alternatives can trigger reactions.
Biodegradable plastic straws are made of corn plastic called Ingeo. Toxic-free products expert Debra Lynn Dadd cautions using products made from Ingeo because she knows “people with corn sensitivites can react to substances made from corn even if it is highly processed”. She also points out that corn plastic is made from GMO (genetically modified) corn. So if you have a corn sensitivity or are trying to avoid genetically-modified plant-based products, then Ingeo’s not for you.
Wheat is a common ingredient for companies like ecostrawz and HAY Straws. Some straws are even made out of pasta. Pasta straws are typically made with wheat, and only some companies can offer a gluten-free option.
Straws are also made out of straw (makes sense, doesn’t it?). People aren’t allergic to straws, but they are allergic to the dust residue that sticks to the straw after processing. Have you seen the food labels that point out that even though their product does not contain peanuts, it’s manufactured in the same place peanut products are? It’s the same situation. Your allergies can still be triggered because of the way the product was manufactured,
What About…
How about metal? Making metal straws uses petroleum products and is not eco-friendly. They’re also very hard to clean. And have you ever tried to drink hot liquid with metal? Hot, owie, burn.
Bamboo is sustainable. Yup, and it also doesn’t respond well to biting (painful sharp shards). Hot good for the disabled or for little kids.
Starbucks wants to replace straws with a plastic lid. They bring more recycling problems.
Well, Paper Works…
Paper is an alternative to food-based options that could include allergens and/or genetically-modified ingredients. Some paper straws do add a thin plastic lining or dyes that are not eco-friendly. But yes, paper straws are much friendlier to the environment than plastic straws.
But are they practical? Not always.
- Paper straws can break down too quickly. So if you’re nursing your beverage or getting refills, your straw may not last as long as you do.
- Paper straws don’t work in hot beverages.
- Paper straws don’t work with slotted plastic lids. Aardvark Straws are highly praised for their strength and durability, but if you check their FAQs, they do not recommend using their straws with those lids. Go look at your standard to-go cup lid and notice that the vast majority use the slotted/starburst lids.
So What Should We Do?
We should ABSOLUTELY work to reduce the plastic straw waste that ends up in the ocean. But we’re not ready to go for a complete ban until we have a viable option that works for everyone. In the meantime:
- Don’t take a straw if you’re not going to use one.
- Don’t let your server put straws down on your table, since unused ones will just get trashed.
- Be careful when you pull one out of the dispenser so you don’t accidentally drop some on the floor that will just get thrown out.
- Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones .
- AND MORE!
How do you cut down on plastic straw use? Share it in the comments section.
