As you may know, from 2021 onwards there will be a ban in the EU on single-use plastic items for which there are affordable alternatives, such as straws, cutlery and plates. These are the ten products that most commonly end up as litter on beaches and in the sea.
Styrofoam drink and food containers, stirrers and cotton buds, balloon sticks and thin plastic bags are also covered by the ban.
EU list of disposable plastics to be banned::
- cotton buds
- cutlery
- plates
- straws
- stirrers
- balloon sticks
- Ultra light plastic bags
- polystyrene food and drink containers
As you can see, this plastic ban also includes the well-known plastic straws. But what are the alternatives?
Alternatives
At present, straws made from straw or wheat are one of the most sustainable and best alternatives for bars, hotels, restaurants and the events industry compared to plastic and silicone straws.
There are other non-plastic alternatives that are "reusable", such as glass straws, metal straws and bamboo straws. But these have to be cleaned with water and detergents after use. This is considered very time-consuming and a lot of water is wasted with each rinse. In addition, a common problem is that customers like to take these straws home. A costly affair.
Other, more biological alternatives are; paper straws, edible straws, rice straws, pastry straws and sugar straws. The production of these straws requires a lot of water and energy. For example, for bleaching, creating the substance to make the straw and cleaning it before it can be used by the consumer. And once it is used by the consumer, the complaint is often that the straws taste foul and become soft, ruining that fantastically made cocktail. You don't want that, do you?
Wheat and reed straws; the sustainable organic alternatives to plastic straws!
Our mission at StrawZ is to reduce the carbon footprint in the bar, restaurant and catering industry. So we looked for the best alternative with the smallest ecological footprint. The solution; the natural straw of reed and straw or wheat.
It is a 100% biodegradable straw, environmentally friendly and gluten-free. And even better, 100% plastic-free! In our opinion, the only real alternative.
Our Hay!Straws are collected from small farmers who harvest the straws. The straw or wheat comes from all over the world, the USA, Europe, Asia. It is a residual product from the grain harvest, minimally processed and toxin-free. We make sure of that!
The natural plant stalks are rinsed three times with sterile water, exposed to warm air for a short time and then air-dried, cut and packed.
Experience our sustainable straws yourself. Request a free sample.
Circle of Life
We have the complete "Circle of life" of the straws in view, so we know which farmer and piece of land the straw comes from, when it is processed and packed in our own facilities, by esteemed colleagues who are all employed and earn a fair salary. All under the strictest safety requirements so that food safety can be guaranteed.
Do you want to make the switch to the only real alternative and be part of the Straw-volution®?
Contact our customer service for wholesale prices and try them yourself.