Plastic straws have caused a lot of pollution as they take nearly 200 years to break down. Unfortunately, a lot of restaurants and fast-food chains are still using plastic straws.
A lot of countries have banned plastic straws as they take 200 years to decompose. But still, 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the beautiful beaches of the world.
There are many plastic straw alternatives in the market. Biodegradable straws are more sustainable as they take less time to decompose. This makes them more eco-friendly than other options for drinking straws.
Unfortunately, a lot of restaurants and fast-food chains are still using plastic straws. If you have a restaurant, you should consider using biodegradable straws as they are more eco-friendly.
In this article, we have listed 8 biodegradable straws for restaurants suitable to use. Keep on reading to find the best biodegradable drinking straws for your restaurant!
What is the Purpose of Biodegradable Straws?
Decomposition is a law of nature. Every object whether it’s living or nonliving breaks with time. Materials that are made with plastic also break down. However, its breakage might take 200 to 500 years.
Biodegradable is the term used when a material is reduced by microorganisms. This way, no pollution is caused and a balance is maintained in the environment.
In short, biodegradable straws don’t cause pollution. Most of the biodegradable or eco-friendly straws decompose without leaving any harm to the environment.
Why Should Restaurant Owners Use Biodegradable Straws?
Millions of plastic straws are being used every day in the restaurant industry. If you own a restaurant, you are probably using plastic straws. Or even if you’re planning to start a business, you must have thought about using plastic straws.
The usage of a plastic straw in one restaurant doesn’t seem to be a big issue. But when we consider the situation on a bigger scale, even a smaller contribution can make a difference.
That is why you need to consider buying biodegradable or eco-friendly straws for your restaurant.
For the Environment
As we mentioned earlier, plastic straws create a lot of problems for the environment. On the other hand, biodegradable straws are reusable as well as eco-friendly. As a restaurant owner, you must take the initiative to protect the future of Earth.
Customer Maturity
Customers are the most important aspect of any business. Due to the evolution of the internet and easy access to the internet, current customers are very mature.
In 2017, a survey was conducted in which 95% of the people said that plastic drinking straws are a threat to our environment. Hence, most customers keep the environment in their mind when choosing a restaurant.
Sustainability is the Future
Every business owner needs to think ahead of their time if they want to stay in business for a long time. We all know that sustainability is the future.
Humans have already caused a lot of damage to the environment. Now every other country is banning plastic straws. As mentioned earlier, consumer maturity is also increasing. Hence a restaurant owner needs to have biodegradable/eco-friendly straws as plastic straw alternatives.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #1: Wheat Drinking Straws
People have been using wheat straws for a very long time. However, these biodegradable drinking straws have gained more popularity in recent years. Historians have found evidence of wheat straws in the ancient Sumerian and Egyptian eras.
Since wheat drinking straws are biodegradable, hence they take nearly six weeks to decompose. The decomposition process of wheat drinking straws is completely harmless.
Manufacturing Process
Wheat straws are, basically, stems of a wheat plant. So there is no process for manufacturing wheat drinking straws. Only a few steps are required to get one of the best biodegradable or eco-friendly straws for a restaurant.
- Wheat stems are collected by farmers.
- These stems are cut into the size of a drinking straw.
- In the end, wheat stems are sterilized in special ovens to make wheat-drinking straws.
Are Wheat Straws Safe?
One of the main reasons for the popularity of wheat straws is their safety. Wheat is a durable and strong organic material. That is why there is no need to add synthetic materials for strengthening the straw.
Are Wheat Straws Reusable?
Yes, wheat straws are reusable as they can be cleaned or washed. However, for a restaurant, it is better to recycle the wheat straws after customers use them. This way, no hygiene concern is raised.
Other Benefits
Following are some additional benefits of using wheat straws in your restaurant.
- Wheat straws work with both hot and cold drinks. So these are the best option if you want straws for cocktails, coffee, or drinks.
- Wheat states are taste-free. This means they don’t ruin the taste of your drink.
- Unlike paper straws, wheat drinking straws don’t turn soggy and are reusable.
Our Product
Homestraw makes 100% compostable wheat straws. As a restaurant owner, you can get organic wheat drinking straws with a minimum order quantity of 1000 pieces.
To test the quality of our reusable straws, you can order some samples. Samples take only 3-5 days to be delivered after the confirmation of the order.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #2: Paper Straws
Paper straws are one of the most used plastic straw alternatives. Paper straws can not be reused, so this is not the best option for everyday usage.
However, paper straws are one of the best plastic straw alternatives for restaurants as they can’t reuse and have to throw biodegradable straws in the recycling bins due to hygiene purposes.
Manufacturing Process
Only a few steps are required to manufacture paper straws.
- Food-grade Kraft paper is cut into suitable sizes of straws.
- Three or four layers of paper straws are made.
- Paper is baked in special ovens for hardening the straws.
- Biodegradable straws made with paper are sterilized in the final steps to remove any infections.
Are Paper Straws Safe?
Unfortunately, not all paper straws are safe for human health. Some paper straws are made with food-grade kraft paper, which is considered safe to use. However many straw companies used paper that has chemicals.
Are Paper Straws Reusable?
No, paper straws are not reusable. One of the major drawbacks of plastic straws is that they turn soggy very quickly, which reduces the overall experience of the customer.
Our Product
Homestraw makes paper straws with high-quality material. Its durability can be judged by the fact that they endure 100-degree water for 60 minutes. These biodegradable or eco-friendly straws can also endure cold water for 18 hours.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #3: Bamboo Straws
Bamboo straws are another plant-based and biodegradable straw. Bamboo is a strong and durable plant which means there is no need to add any chemicals to strengthen these reusable straws.
Bamboos straws are not only eco-friendly straws, but also add elegance and increase the quality of a restaurant.
Manufacturing Process
Like many other biodegradable and reusable straws, the process of manufacturing bamboo straws is very simple.
- Suitable bamboo branches are found and cut.
- Holes are made in the centre of the bamboo branches.
- The manufacturer then sands down all of the branches of the bamboo trees. This is done to give the proper shape of a reusable straw.
- In the end, bamboo reusable straw is sterilized using a boiling method or special ovens.
Are Bamboo Straws Safe?
Yes, bamboo straws are safe to use. As mentioned earlier, bamboo straws are made using 100% raw material i.e. bamboo branches. Therefore no harmful chemicals are used, which makes it safe.
Are Bamboo Straws Reusable?
Yes, bamboo straws are reusable. Mostly, bamboo straws come with cleaning brushes. However, for a restaurant, it would be difficult to clean hundreds of bamboo straws daily.
If a restaurant has a proper sterilization system, then they may use bamboo straws. Otherwise, restaurants can use bamboo reusable straws for takeaways.
Other Benefits
Here are some other benefits that bamboo straw has;
- Bamboo reusable straws don’t turn soggy.
- These biodegradable straws can endure both high and low temperatures. So these are suitable straws for drinks whether they are hot or cold.
- If properly cleaned or sterilized, one bamboo drinking straw can be used for a very long time.
- Bamboo drinking straws decompose without causing any harm to the environment.
Our Product
Restaurants can order bamboo drinking straws in bulk from Homestraw. Homestraw sells bamboo biodegradable straws in bulk which can endure temperatures from -20°C to 120°C. This shows that bamboo drinking straws are one of the best biodegradable straws for coffee, cocktails, drinks, etc.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #4: Sugarcane Straws
Sugarcane straws are also plant-based and 100% organic alternatives to plastic straws. Sugarcane straws are considered a suitable option as they are safe to use and can be reused many times.
Manufacturing Process
When sugar is extracted from the sugarcane, fibers are left behind. Most farmers burn these fibers. However, in recent times, they are using these fibers to make sugarcane straws.
Are Sugarcane Straws Safe?
Yes, like many other plant-based biodegradable straws, Sugarcane straws are safe. These straws don’t contain harmful chemicals, so they don’t cause harm to customers in a restaurant.
Are Sugarcane Straws Reusable?
Yes, sugarcane straws are reusable. They can be cleaned using different methods. However, it is advised to not use sugarcane straws more than once in a restaurant.
Other Benefits
Here are some benefits of using sugarcane drinking straws.
- Sugarcane reusable straws only take 24 weeks to decompose. While decomposing, these drinking straws don’t cause any harm to the environment.
- These biodegradable straws are suitable for both hot and cold drinks. So customers of a restaurant can easily use sugar cane straws for coffee, cocktails, or drinks.
Our Product
The sugarcane straws of Homestraw are made with 100% organic plant fiber. Homestraw uses sugarcane bagasse to manufacture biodegradable straws for restaurants.
Restaurants can order sugarcane drinking straws with a minimum order quantity of 200,000 pieces. They can also order samples of sugarcane straws to check their quality.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #5: Reed Straws
Reed straws are 100% organic and biodegradable straws that are made out of reed stems. Reed is a large plant that is mostly found in water or wetland. Straws are made using the stems of the reed plant.
Manufacturing Process
The manufacturing process of reed straws is quite similar to wheat straws.
- Reed stems are collected and cut into the size of a straw.
- These items are then sanded down to make reed straws.
Are Reed Straws Safe?
Yes, reed straws are safe for customers of a restaurant. No toxic chemicals are used to manufacture reed straws. Hence these straws are 100% organic and safe to use.
Are Reed Straws Reusable?
Yes, reed straws are reusable. Like many other biodegradable straws, reed drinking straws can also be cleaned and sterilized. However, restaurants are advised not to reuse reed straws for hygiene purposes.
Other Benefits
Here are some other benefits of reed straws. These benefits might convince you to choose reed biodegradable straws as a plastic straw alternative for your restaurant;
- Reed drinking straws don’t turn soggy and can’t be reused.
- They can endure both hot and cold temperatures. So they can be used as straws for coffee, cocktails, boba, tea, etc.
Our Product
Homestraw provides 100% organic and biodegradable reed straws for restaurants. These biodegradable straws are offered with a minimum order quantity of 5000 pieces. Restaurants can also get their logo on the reed straws.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #6: Bamboo Fiber Straws
As the name shows, bamboo fiber straws are made using the fibers of bamboo plants. Bamboo is known to be one of the most sustainable plants.
It doesn’t require pesticides or fertilizers to grow. Also, it doesn’t require a lot of water to grow. That is why bamboo fiber straws are preferred by many restaurants around the world.
Are Bamboo Fiber Straws Safe?
Yes, bamboo fiber straws are safe to use. As mentioned earlier, bamboo does not require a handful of chemicals to grow. Hence it is safe to use by the customers of any restaurant.
Are Bamboo Fiber Straws Reusable?
Yes, bamboo fiber straws are reusable. However, if a restaurant doesn’t have a proper sterilization system, it should avoid reusing these drinking straws.
Our Product
The bamboo fiber drinking straws of Homestraw are certified by LFGB and ROHS. These are 9-inch long straws and can be used as straws for boba tea.
These straws of Homestraw can endure the temperature of -5°F to 180 °F. So these can be used as straws for coffee, whether it’s hot or cold.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #7: Stainless Steel Straws
When it comes to cooking utensils, stainless steel can be found everywhere. Stainless steel increases the strength and durability of cooking utensils.
So it is a wise choice to use stainless steel straws for your restaurant. Although stainless steel straws are not organic. But there are no harmful effects of stainless steel on the environment.
Also since stainless steel is metal, it might not be considered biodegradable. But still, drinking straws made out of stainless steel can be reused or recycled.
Are Stainless Steel Straws Safe?
Yes, stainless steel straws are safe for customers in a restaurant. Stainless steel straws are considered to be one of the safest options to use straws for coffee, cocktail, or any sort of drink.
However stainless steel is metal, which is a very good conductor of heat. So stainless steel straws are not safe to use in hot drinks.
Are Stainless Steel Straws Reusable?
Yes, stainless steel drinking straws can be both reused and recycled. These straws can be cleaned using a brush or other sterilization methods.
However, if a restaurant doesn’t have a proper sterilization system, it should not reuse a stainless steel straw.
Other Benefits
Here are some additional benefits of using stainless steel straws;
- Stainless steel straws don’t have any smell. So the experience of the customer is not ruined.
- Stainless steel straws are durable and can last for a very long time.
- Can be used in cold drinks such as cocktails, iced coffee, etc.
Our Product
Homestraw offers a large variety of options to restaurant owners. There are many colour options for stainless steel drinking straws. These reusable straws can be bought from Homestraw with a minimum order quantity of only 500 pieces.
Biodegradable Straws for Restaurants Suitable to Use #8: Coffee Ground Straws
You might serve coffee with plastic straws in your restaurant. But did you know that you can use biodegradable drinking straws that are made out of coffee grounds?
Manufacturing Process
Coffee ground straws are made using coffee grounds in only a few steps;
- Extracted coffee powder i.e. coffee grounds is collected.
- The ground coffee is combined with Polylactic Acid (PLA) material that is food-safe.
Are Coffee Ground Straws Safe?
Yes, coffee ground straws are made with 100% organic material. That is why these straws are completely safe for customers of a restaurant.
Are Coffee Ground Straws Reusable?
Yes, coffee ground straws are reusable. They don’t easily turn soggy and can also be cleaned with great ease. However, restaurants are advised to use each coffee ground drinking straw only once for hygiene purposes.
Other Benefits
Here are some of the benefits of coffee ground drinking straws;
- Coffee grounds are recycled instead of wastage.
- These drinking straws can be easily decomposed without any harm to the environment.
- Can endure the temperature from -20°C to 50°C. Hence these are suitable straws for cocktails, hot or cold coffee, and any sort of drink.
- Don’t turn soggy like the paper straws.
Our Product
The coffee ground straws of Homestraw are approved by FDA, SGS, and LFGB. Hence restaurants can safely order these biodegradable straws.
Homestraw offers coffee ground drinking straws in bulk with a minimum order quantity of 200,000 pieces.
Final Words
To summarize, drinks are served in almost every restaurant. And drinks are considered incomplete without a straw. Instead of serving your drinks with plastic straws, use biodegradable straws.
We tried to suggest 8 biodegradable straws for restaurants in this article. We have also mentioned the pros and cons of eco-friendly straws. You can go through each type of biodegradable straw to find the best option for your restaurant.
