11 votes

Paper straws are in demand as Indiana producer battles plastic pollution

Posted by DonQuixote
Tags: pollution, plastics.single use, usa.in, business, manufacturing, straws.paper, restaurants, author.sarah bowman
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/06/25/paper-straws-demand-indiana-producer-battles-plastic-pollution/731221002/

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Title
Indiana-made Aardvark paper straws see 'unprecedented growth' as restaurants ditch plastic
Authors
Sarah Bowman
Word count
2360 words

9 comments

  1. [4]
    DonQuixote
    Link
    I googled Aardvark Straws based in Indiana, and they own the patent for paper straws. That's interesting. But what does Tildes think about switching from killing wildlife with plastic and killing...

    I googled Aardvark Straws based in Indiana, and they own the patent for paper straws. That's interesting.

    But what does Tildes think about switching from killing wildlife with plastic and killing trees for paper?

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Silbern
      Link Parent
      My take on it is, trees can be regrown and farmed, and paper straws will compost away if a better method emerges. Plastics are permanent, and you can never truly get rid of them, only break them...

      My take on it is, trees can be regrown and farmed, and paper straws will compost away if a better method emerges. Plastics are permanent, and you can never truly get rid of them, only break them down further (unless you incinerate, but that releases some really nasty pollution). We've permanently changed the ocean's composition for millions of years, in the span of only a few decades... Which is impressive, if in a grotesque way...

      7 votes
      1. acr
        Link Parent
        This sums it up pretty well. We can always grow more trees. I wonder if producing these paper straws give off more emissions or something though.

        This sums it up pretty well. We can always grow more trees. I wonder if producing these paper straws give off more emissions or something though.

        1 vote
    2. eladnarra
      Link Parent
      I think ideally there would be both types. Paper straws won't work for some disabled folks (for various reasons), so banning plastic straws outright creates unequal access.

      I think ideally there would be both types. Paper straws won't work for some disabled folks (for various reasons), so banning plastic straws outright creates unequal access.

      2 votes
  2. jprich
    Link
    My wife and I try to reduce our trash footprint and fight the story of stuff when we can. I bought some stainless steel straws and those work well but suck if you forget them. We kickstarted the...

    My wife and I try to reduce our trash footprint and fight the story of stuff when we can.
    I bought some stainless steel straws and those work well but suck if you forget them.

    We kickstarted the Final Straw and are looking forward to it arriving later this year.
    Hopefully it will live up to the hype.

    3 votes
  3. Deimos
    (edited )
    Link
    I read this article on The Atlantic the other day about the history of plastic straws. It's quite interesting, highly recommended for anyone that hasn't seen it already: Disposable America - How...

    I read this article on The Atlantic the other day about the history of plastic straws. It's quite interesting, highly recommended for anyone that hasn't seen it already: Disposable America - How the Disposable Straw Explains Modern Capitalism

    3 votes
  4. Neverland
    (edited )
    Link
    I was at fancy bar in Prague recently and they were using straws made out of pasta. It was pretty cool. Edit: http://pastastraw.com is where those straws are born.

    I was at fancy bar in Prague recently and they were using straws made out of pasta. It was pretty cool.

    Edit: http://pastastraw.com is where those straws are born.

    2 votes
  5. Phlegmatic
    Link
    Hey, neat! I don't get to see much good news out of Indiana, so I'll take straws. Hoosier pride!

    Hey, neat! I don't get to see much good news out of Indiana, so I'll take straws. Hoosier pride!

    2 votes
  6. nil-admirari
    Link
    Hopefully, there will be either be a solution to the problems disabled people encounter and meet the goals of reducing disposable plastics or not a complete ban on plastic straws for those who...

    Hopefully, there will be either be a solution to the problems disabled people encounter and meet the goals of reducing disposable plastics or not a complete ban on plastic straws for those who require them lacking a safe and manageable alternative.

    Why People With Disabilities Want Bans On Plastic Straws To Be More Flexible

    https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/07/11/627773979/why-people-with-disabilities-want-bans-on-plastic-straws-to-be-more-flexible

    There are many alternatives to plastic straws — paper, biodegradable plastics and even reusable straws made from metal or silicone. But paper straws and similar biodegradable options often fall apart too quickly or are easy for people with limited jaw control to bite through. Silicone straws are often not flexible — one of the most important features for people with mobility challenges. Reusable straws need to be washed, which not all people with disabilities can do easily. And metal straws, which conduct heat and cold in addition to being hard and inflexible, can pose a safety risk.

    2 votes