First - let me say that I love turtles. I’m all for protecting them.
But I hate paper straws!
The subway next to my office switched to these paper/cardboard straws for the drinks. The paper feels ‘dry’ on your lips when you start the drink and ends up being soggy and flaky by the time you’re done.
For what? 5g of plastic saved? The cup lid is still made from Polystyrene. The take out bag is High-Density Polyethylene.
And I can’t use a soggy paper straw to pick the bits of steak and cheese from between my teeth after.
First - let me say that I love turtles. I’m all for protecting them.
But I hate paper straws!
The subway next to my office switched to these paper/cardboard straws for the drinks. **The paper feels ‘dry’ on your lips when you start the drink and ends up being soggy and flaky by the time you’re done. **
For what? 5g of plastic saved? The cup lid is still made from Polystyrene. The take out bag is High-Density Polyethylene.
And I can’t use a soggy paper straw to pick the bits of steak and cheese from between my teeth after.
Give me back my plastic straw!
*** Old Man Rant Over ***
Paper straws had the same problems 50 years ago. So much for technological progress…
I’m not a fan of how they feel warm against your lips but then you have cold drink coming in. Feels almost like the after effects of Novocaine.
And like you I’m not against using less plastic, it is almost certainly a really good thing. But straws are such a tiny proportion of that and get all the focus.
We’d be a lot further ahead if we focused on developing plastics that don’t last 50,000 years.
You can purchase a 4 pack of collapsible metal straws for 20 bucks on Amazon. You will never need another straw again. DO IT NOW or continue to suck the old fashion way.