Biodegradable Straws: A Greener Solution
The abundance of plastics in the world is a major issue when it comes to waste. Plastic straws have been in the news over the past several years for their contribution to global waste. While not using straws at all is the most eco-friendly choice, other options like paper straws and metal straws have become popular for being less wasteful compared to traditional plastic straws. A man in Vietnam has created a new zero-waste alternative to plastic straws.
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Vietnamese man Tran Minh Tien has developed a sustainable biodegradable straw. Made from a local species of sedge grass. His company, which Tien established to help reduce the widespread use of plastic straws, produces straws made of dried sedge grass and fresh sedge grass.
To make the biodegradable straws, workers harvest the sedge grass, clean it, and cut it into straw-sized segments. Fresh straws are wrapped in banana leaves and can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or can be boiled with salt and dried. Dried straws are baked under the sun's heat for 2 to 3 days, then put into an oven for final drying. These last up to 6 months.
These grass straws are edible, can be composted, and are free of chemicals. Plus, they're not expensive. Is this the future of straws? It is definitely a move in the right direction. With more eco-friendly, sustainable options becoming available to people, we can all do our part to reduce our plastic use.
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