Buying guide for Best reusable drinking straws
Regular drinking straws are so commonly used that most people drop them into beverages several times a day. However, they’re not as harmless as they look. In fact, drinking straws pose a real threat to the environment and are especially dangerous to marine life. Although it seems like a small step, eliminating disposable straws from the environment can make a major impact.
If you don’t want to give up straws completely, reusable drinking straws are an ideal solution. Made of long-lasting materials, like silicone, hard plastic, stainless steel, glass, and bamboo, they often come in fun colors with cleaning tools and carrying cases. Reusable straws won’t put much stress on your budget either, as both single straws and multipacks are reasonably priced. And because they’re made to last, you’ll end up saving money in the long run.
Key considerations
Why give up disposable drinking straws?
It’s easy to assume that, due to their small size, disposable drinking straws couldn’t possibly play a major role in polluting the environment. However, there are several ways that they harm the earth and animals:
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The small size and lightweight structure of disposable straws make them difficult to recycle. Those that do make it to recycling centers are often missed by mechanical sorters, and many end up in the garbage.
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Disposable plastic straws aren’t biodegradable. Instead, they break down into tiny pieces called “microplastics,” which are ingested by birds, fish, and other animals.
- Physical harm can be caused to marine life and ocean-dwelling animals by disposable drinking straws. Recent incidents include a sea turtle with a straw stuck in his nostril and a penguin with a perforated stomach caused by ingesting a straw.
Benefits of reusable drinking straws
While keeping disposable plastic drinking straws out of the environment is the top reason for investing in the reusable kind, there are some other great reasons to switch to reusable straws:
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You’ll have lots of options to choose from. Reusable drinking straws are available in a variety of environmentally friendly materials and come in different sizes. They are also available in every color of the rainbow.
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Reusable straws save you money in the long run. Far more durable than the disposable kind, they can last for years.
- You’ll feel good about making an environmentally friendly choice. Every time you plop a reusable straw into your glass, that’s one less disposable straw that will end up in a landfill, on the beach, or in the ocean.
Features
Materials
As you shop for reusable drinking straws, you’ll find a range of materials to choose from:
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Stainless steel is arguably the most durable material, and straws crafted in it can potentially last a lifetime with proper care.
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Silicone and hard plastic are also durable and are both popular choices.
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Bamboo straws are worth considering for consumers who prefer natural products, but they don’t last as long as other materials.
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Glass reusable drinking straws are also available, but breakage is a concern.
- Titanium straws aren’t as readily available, but they have similar qualities as those made of stainless steel.
Expert tip
Paper straws are readily available online and in supermarkets across the country. Buy a pack and let the recycling begin.
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Sizes
Reusable drinking straws are available in different lengths regardless of the material you choose. The most popular sizes are between eight and 10.5 inches, although longer and shorter options are available. Diameters vary as well, with thin, medium, and thick options available.
Straight and curved
Most reusable straws can be found in straight and curved varieties, although this is not a common feature of those made of bamboo. The curve is meant to resemble traditional bendable straws. Some reusable straw sets include both straight and curved varieties, so you can try both with one purchase.
Quantities
Reusable drinking straws are available in a wide range of quantities. While some manufacturers do offer single straws, you’re more likely to find multipacks with four, eight, 10, or more.
Cleaners and cases
Many reusable drinking straws come with their own cleaners, which are typically small thin brushes on narrow wires designed to fit into the straws’ cylindrical structure. They are made to slip inside a straw, twirl around, and remove particles. Cases to carry straws are also often included and come in the form of bags, boxes, and tube-shaped containers.
Expert Tip
I love stainless steel straws for their more sanitary aspects, but they can conduct heat when placed in a piping hot coffee or tea, making them tricky to drink from.
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Reusable drinking straw prices
Inexpensive
Multipacks of reusable drinking straws are available for $5 to $9. In this price range, you’ll find decent straws in almost any material in quantities ranging from four to 25 or more straws.
Mid-range
Multipacks that cost around $9 to $12 include straws made of bamboo and larger quantities of stainless steel models. Singles or pairs of collapsible stainless steel straws with cases also fall into this price category.
Expensive
For $12 to $25 or a bit more, you can purchase top-quality collapsible stainless steel reusable straws with metal cases as well as multipacks of glass straws made by top manufacturers. Although not a common choice, titanium straws can also be found in this price range.
Tips
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Take reusable drinking straws with you. They are easy to carry in your purse, lunch pack, briefcase, or pocket, so you’ll be ready to refuse a disposable straw when you order a beverage.
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Try multiple materials. Reusable drinking straws are affordable, so it’s easy to try those made of stainless steel, bamboo, hard plastic, and soft silicone to determine which kind you prefer.
Expert Tip
Buy a set with a brush to help clean fats like milk out of the interior of the straw. The long, thin, purpose-built brush is also great for cleaning funnel and teapot spouts, as well as champagne and aperitif glasses.
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FAQ
Q. Are reusable straws easy to clean?
A. Yes, simply rinsing reusable straws and allowing them to air dry will often suffice, but cleaning them with small brushes (often included with your purchase) when necessary is also easy. Additionally, some reusable drinking straws are dishwasher-safe.
Q. Can I drink a hot beverage with a reusable straw?
A. You can, but with a few exceptions. Because metal absorbs heat, straws made of stainless steel tend to get warm quickly and may not work well with very hot drinks. Repeated exposure to heat can cause bamboo to deteriorate over time, so straws made of this natural material are best saved for cold beverages.
Q. Can’t I just wash and reuse standard disposable straws?
A. Consumers often wash and reuse disposable drinking straws, but the results are disappointing. They are commonly made of thin polypropylene plastic, which will crack and split with repeated use and cleaning. So even with the best intentions, disposable straws ultimately end up as pollutants in the environment.
