A ban on businesses being able to hand out plastic straws has now come into effect.
It looks like the move can’t come soon enough, as statistics show the UK was getting through almost five billion straws every year – which is not good news for the environment.
A public consultation before the law change showed an overwhelming support for the reduction of plastic, with more than 80% backing the ban on straws.
Of course, this doesn’t mean an end to straw-sipping altogether. There are loads of other alternatives out there which are reusable and, therefore, much better for the planet.
Below are some of the different types you can buy and some of the best plastic straw alternatives on the market…
Reusable stainless steel straws
S’well at John Lewis, £12
This little set of four stainless steel reusable straws have flexible necks for all your sipping requirements and – like most others one the market – come with a little brush to thoroughly clean the inside. They are also dishwasher safe, which is an added bonus.
SENHAI at Amazon, £6.99
For something a little more funky, these metallic straws come in two different sizes in two different shapes (either straight or tilted), to suit your preferred drinking style. The colours mean they look great paired with cocktails or for whipping out at special occasions.
Reusable silicone straws
Wild and Stone, £9.99
Silicone straws are soft and flexible, which means they are a great choice for children and those with difficulties drinking. These colourful straws from Wild & Stone are vegan and dishwasher friendly. Not to mention the rainbow colour palette means there’s (almost) one for every day of the week.
Flathead at Amazon, £7.11
These silicone straws are easy on the teeth (so some people prefer them to metal and glass options) and come in a variety of aesthetically pleasing colours – blue, teal, purple, pink, and white.
Uarter at Amazon, £3.99
For a pop more colour, these rainbow silicone straws are just the ticket. Their flexible structure makes them perfect for delicate mouths. Coming in at around 60p for a straw, they are pretty hard to refuse.
Reusable bamboo straws
Ecostrawz, £3.99
These bamboo eco-straws are the perfect finishing touch for a tropical cocktail, not to mention they are sourced from sustainable, panda-fee forests in China. They can be popped into the dishwasher but, due to it being a natural product, the brand encourages people to wash the straws by hand where possible – to prolong their life.
Reusable glass straws
Oliver Bonas, £10
The homeware section at Oliver Bonas is something to behold and truly does cater for every requirement – including your reusable straw needs. The delightful straws in this pack of six are made from either colour-tinted or clear glass.
Paperchase, £6
Glass straws are a great reusable alternative to plastic as they can simply be popped in the dishwasher. These adorable ones from Paperchase have got you covered for all your sipping and slurping needs.
Anthropologie, £22
Being a luxurious brand, it makes sense that Anthropologie straws are made with a lovely frosted glass. This borosilicate glass is dishwasher safe and there’s even a little cleaning brush to keep things in sparkling condition. The set features pink, yellow, teal and white varieties – so there’s something for the whole family.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/02/best-plastic-straw-alternatives-from-silicone-and-glass-to-stainless-steel-and-bamboo-13357601/
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