The great straw debate continues...
The big move from plastic straws to paper straws was supposed to be great for the environment. Research shows paper straws can be decomposed in 2-6 weeks, while plastic straws can take up to 200 years to biodegrade.
But, are they?
Thimo Groffen, Ph.D., study author and an environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp, said in a statement --
“Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic. However, the presence of PFAS [poly- and perfluoroalkyl-based substances known as “forever chemicals” because they last for a long time before breaking down] in these straws means that’s not necessarily true.”
PFA's
Researchers analyzed the PFA concentrations of 39 brands of drinking straws, which were comprised of five materials:
- Paper
- Bamboo
- Glass
- Stainless steel
- And Plastic
The research shows that paper straws were the most PFA-filled with an alarming 90% of paper straws containing the chemicals.
Meanwhile, bamboo straws came in second with 80%, followed by 75% of plastic straws, 40% of glass straws, and none in steel straws.
So, steel straws it is.