People buy hundreds of millions of drinks each day. Many of these come with plastic straws which are light, cheap, disposable, and effective. It’s a great addition when serving food at first glance but its effects on the environment is making a lot of consumers think twice. Plastics take an eternity to break down so you can still find them in straw form a hundred years from now. Some find their way to forests. Others float to the sea. Animals can mistake them for food and choke to death because of straws. These realities have forced the development of alternatives like Kraft paper straws.
Biodegradable Straws
These are becoming popular among the environmentally conscious individuals among us. They like the fact that this is a biodegradable product that returns to the earth almost as soon as it is discarded. It leaves no harmful residue and it does not cause the landfills to overflow. Any number of these can be used on a daily basis without worries about the possible impact on sea creatures.
Financially Viable Option
Nothing could be cheaper than plastic straws but there are hidden costs that make this unacceptable in the long run. As a society, Kraft paper straws is the more financially sound option. Manufacturing is relatively cheap while the long-term cost is negligible. Other eco-friendly options exist such as metal straws but these are expensive is comparison. The latter is more suitable as an individual investment by consumers rather than a freebie at food establishments.
Consumer-approved
Consumers are becoming more conscious of the effects of their purchases on society and the environment. They want to use things that come from companies that they believe in and those that share their profits with causes that they support. They want to use products that are good for the environment, or at least not harmful to other creatures. In short, they want to do their part to make the world a better place. And they are making their wallets make a strong statement.
Ready for Higher Standards
Local governments all over the world have crafted their own regulations regarding the use of plastic straws. Some have banned all commercial establishments from using them, along with plastic bags, plates, cups, and cutlery. Business owners have no choice but to comply. In fact, entrepreneurs everywhere should prepare for this as the new normal. The earlier they adopt the practice, the easier the transition will be.
