Plastics are a massive threat to the environment. They are the leading cause of water pollution and wildlife loss. Every day, we hear and see the clustered coastlines and suffering sea life. This is why it is high time to take action and shift to a more sustainable method of living.
We use a lot of plastics in our daily life, from plastic bags to straws and whatnot. These plastics are manufactured using crude oil, which produces harmful gasses leading to air pollution.
We produce a lot of waste containing plastics that add to landfills. This conventional plastic waste is non-biodegradable. Non-biodegradable means they cannot be broken down under natural environmental conditions.
However, these days businesses are shifting towards sustainable methods and introducing biodegradable and compostable products, including biodegradable plastic straws and cutleries. Read this article to learn more about biodegradable plastic straws, what biodegradable straws are made of and how they can benefit the environment.
What Are Biodegradable Plastic Straws?
Biodegradable plastic straws are made of biodegradable materials that can be easily decomposed under natural environmental conditions and do not leave any toxins behind. These straws are made of polylactic acid or PLA, an organic plastic that does not release toxins when decomposed. Other organic materials used to make these straws are wheat, paper, and bamboo.
-
Paper Straws
Paper straws are made from paper, typically from recycled paper or sustainably sourced wood pulp. They are another alternative to traditional plastic straws and are biodegradable and compostable.
Paper straws are often used in food service and hospitality settings, such as restaurants and cafes, as a more environmentally friendly option. They are also used in events, parties or festivals. Paper straws can be white or brown in color and are often coated with a food-grade wax or a plant-based bioplastic to increase their strength and make them more resistant to getting soggy.
Paper straws are a more eco-friendly option as they don’t take hundreds of years to decompose like plastic straws, and they don’t release harmful chemicals when they degrade. However, paper straws are not as durable as plastic straws and may not hold up as well in drinks that are consumed over an extended period of time.
Overall, paper straws are a good alternative to plastic straws, but it’s important to ensure that they are made from sustainable and responsibly sourced materials. And also, their decomposition time may vary depending on the conditions and the specific product.
-
Bamboo Straws
Bamboo straws are a type of straw made from bamboo, a fast-growing and sustainable plant. They are an alternative to traditional plastic straws and are biodegradable and compostable.
Similar to paper straws, bamboo straws are often used in food service and hospitality settings. They can also be natural or colored.
Bamboo straws are a more eco-friendly option as they are made from a sustainable resource; bamboo can grow fast and it’s also abundant in some regions. They also don’t take hundreds of years to decompose like plastic straws, and they don’t release harmful chemicals when they degrade. Bamboo straws are also durable and can be reusable.
-
Wheat Straws
Hay straws are new to the market of disposable straws and considered one of the best eco-conscious discoveries. Hay straws are made from thin and hollow stems of wheat plants. Moreover, these straws are water-resistant and biodegradable. Hays are taken from the wheat plants, so they can be reusable as well.
The Benefits of Biodegradable Straws
Now that you know what are biodegradable straws made of, let’s check out their benefits and how they can save ocean life.
-
Biodegradable straws reduce water pollution
According to various studies, our oceans are filled with plastic litter, posing a threat to water life. Also, it has been estimated that 8 million tons of plastics are added to the ocean every year in which half of the plastic we produce is single-use plastics, such as plastic straws. These items altogether make up 89% of the plastics in the ocean.
Shifting to biodegradable straws might not be able to reduce the already present plastic waste in the oceans, but it will help in rescuing further contributions to it. In addition, these biodegradable straws can be broken down naturally, which can prevent our water ecosystem from collapsing.
-
Biodegradable materials are non-toxic
The conventional plastic that we use takes thousands of years to decompose. Moreover, during decomposition, these plastics release harmful chemicals into the environment. Plastic in the water bodies frees bisphenol, a very toxic chemical. This chemical can interfere with the bodies of the animals if ingested.
Similarly, when these plastics are dumped in landfills, soil fertility is lost, and the seepage causes river pollution. However, choosing more sustainable options, such as biodegradable plastic straws made of organic materials like hay and paper, does not release toxic chemicals. Also, these substances are easily digested by microorganisms, helping reduce pollution and safeguarding the lives on earth and water.
-
Shifting from plastic straws to biodegradable straws reduces the carbon footprint
Plastics are one of the leading causes of the greenhouse effect. This is because harmful greenhouse gasses are released into the environment during plastic manufacturing. Primarily, fossil fuels are used to manufacture these plastics, and they are known to emit greenhouse gasses, such as methane. These gasses contribute to global warming, which further leads to climate change.
Biodegradable straws are often made of organic materials and thus do not release carbon dioxide or harmful gasses. They also use less energy during manufacture, which means reduced carbon footprint.
-
Biodegradable plastic straws are the best alternative to single-use plastics
Plastic straw is a single-use item, so it is often thrown away after the first usage. This leads to the production of waste material that is non-biodegradable. The best part of using biodegradable plastic straws is that they are convenient and can be used by people with disabilities. In addition, these biodegradable straws offer substantial ecological benefits from all perspectives.
Bonnie Bio: Sustainable Compostable Packaging in Australia
The best way to help our environment is to adopt sustainable methods of living, in which reducing the use of non-biodegradable plastics is a significant step. Now that you know what biodegradable straws are made of, then you can be confident that they are better than single-use plastic straws.
If you have a restaurant business or running a cafe, get your biodegradable plastic straws and compostable products only from a reputable supplier. At Bonnie Bio, we manufacture a great range of compostable products that are environmentally friendly. We offer garbage bags in various sizes, drinking straws, gloves, cutlery and more for both home use and in business and commercial applications.
For more details about our products, contact us today.
