This past year, an issue came to light that not many had considered in their daily routine. Plastic straws are bad for the environment, and since the news broke many restaurants have gone straw-less. Here is a list of some of the most practical plastic straw alternatives. 

What’s the issue with plastic straws?  

Americans dispose of over 500 million plastic straws a day. This clear excess of plastic, even when recycled, often ends up in the ocean. Straws are too small to be processed through recycling machines.  

Portable/compact straws 

This option has a major convenience factor to it, because you can carry this straw with you on the go. These are good for carrying every day, or when you know you might be going out to a restaurant. Startups such as FinalStraw, FIN Straw, and SUX are affordable options, though there are many more on the market.  

Single-use biodegradable straws 

Perfect for parties, single use or reusable biodegradable straws can be purchased in bulk. They are made of a variety of different materials such as bamboo, seaweed, and paper. Good places to look for these are in your local grocery store, but if you’d like to order online, check out StrawFree, Harvest Straws, and LOLIStraws.  

Metal, glass, and silicone straws 

Consider getting glass or metal straws to keep around your home or at work. All of them typically come with a cleaning brush so you don’t have to worry about your straw getting gunky. Materials include stainless steel, titanium, silicone. 

Unconventional materials 

Looking for a straw made of an unconventional material? Try out The Amazing Pasta Straw and Ice Straws. 

Any of these options are great substitutes for conventional plastic straws. In addition to reusable straws, you can also opt to skip using straws altogether. Many cities such as LA now require servers to ask before setting down straws on the table. The sea turtles (and the entire ecosystem) thank you for your decision to live more sustainably.