PLASTIC STRAW

The world is becoming increasingly aware of the damage to ecosystems caused by plastics. In 2021 a European Union regulation will
come into force on disposable plastics for which there is an alternative will be banned
by law. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

GLASS + Dishwasher safe. - Great differences in stability depending on the

manufacturer.

+ Free of heavy metals, lead and BPA

- Not all glass is easily recycled.

+ Absolutely insipid.

+ The most hygienic option compared to the other options.

+ It can be easily recycled with the waste glass and without

loss of quality.

METAL + Long life. - Cleanliness cannot be checked by visual inspection.

+ Dishwasher safe. - It's not insipid. It can leave a metallic taste in the mouth.

+ Break-proof. - It conducts heat. There are risks of burns.

+ BPA free. - Stainless steel causes an unpleasant mouth feel.

- Sharp edges on the nozzle pose a greater safety risk.

- For recycling you must go to a special plant.

BAMBER + Natural material from renewable resources. - Shorter life compared to the other options.

+ Break-proof. - It's not tasteless, it tastes strongly like bamboo.

Surely, drinking straws are only one element in liberating the planet from its overcrowding, + Biodegradable. Can be disposed of with organic waste. - It may be contaminated with pesticides.

but it is very important. Every day, some 13 million plastic straws are thrown away in the - It must be imported from outside Europe.
rubbish in Spain alone (European record, 110xHabitant/year) which makes it one of the ten
- Hard to clean, not dishwasher safe.
most common types of pollution found on beaches, taking up to 500 years to degrade.
- Not suitable for restoration due to wood bacteria

Thanks to any of these substitute products, the volume of single-use waste is drastically - It discolours quickly due to drinks.

reduced. HARD + Break-proof. - Made of oil.

PLASTIC

+ Low cost. - Contains hazardous substances (BPA)

All options have a production environmental impact but glass straws, due to their hygiene
properties, are perfect for the catering industry, which is the main sector producing single- + Available in a variety of shapes and colors. - It's not tasteless, it tastes like plastic.

use product waste. - Partially not dishwasher safe.

Glass straws are the best option, as they can be recycled endlessly without losing any of - It must be disposed of with the waste in most
municipalities.
their properties and for all the advantages described in the tables.
SILICONE + Break-proof. - It's not entirely insipid.

+ It can be easily folded or creased for transport. - It may contain BPA.

Sources:
+ Available in a variety of shapes and colors. - Silicone attracts dust and is difficult to clean in the
http://www.halm.co (Comparison tables) dishwasher.
http://www.es.greenpeace.org (Image and info)
http://www.google.es/imghp (Images straws)
- Silicone is not biodegradable.

- It is not usually recycled.

Yeray Domínguez Negrín - Ingles 1º Administración y finanzas - IES La Laboral - 03/2020