Eco-Friendly Straws: The Future of Sustainable Promotions
As a marketer, you’re always looking for the perfect promotional merchandise: affordable, easy to customise, and widely used. Pens, tote bags, and drink bottles often top the list, but here’s another idea—eco-friendly straws.
While their plastic past might make you hesitant, eco-friendly alternatives are turning straws into a sustainable and impactful promotional product. Below, we explore the most common plastic-free straws, highlighting everything from recyclability to mouthfeel, to help you find the ideal option for your next summer promotion.
Eco-Friendly Straws
Stainless Steel Straws
Stainless steel straws are reusable, durable, and long-lasting.
Key Features
- Resistant to rust, corrosion, and breakage.
- Food-safe and dishwasher-safe.
- Requires only 150 uses to offset its production energy—a lifespan it easily surpasses.
Drawbacks
- May impart a metallic taste.
- Can feel “jabby” but this is resolved with silicone mouthpieces.
Stainless steel straws often come in canvas pouches, including a straight straw, bent straw, and cleaner. Both the bag and the straws can be printed or engraved, making them perfect for everyday branding opportunities.
Glass Straws
Glass straws are often a customer favorite due to their smooth mouthfeel and satisfying weight.
Key Features
- Made from borosilicate glass, which is shatter, bacteria, and temperature-resistant.
- Tasteless, ensuring no flavor interference with drinks.
- Easy to clean—watch as juice or smoothie residue brushes away!
Drawbacks
- While shatter-resistant, they can break upon sharp impact.
- Not ideal for children or travel.
Glass straws are commonly pad printed or etched for longer-lasting branding. Their clean and classy appearance makes them stand out as premium promotional merchandise.
Bamboo Straws
Bamboo is a natural, sustainable material that’s gentle on the planet and your mouth.
Key Features
- Reusable, biodegradable, and sturdy.
- Soft, natural texture with a warm, eco-friendly aesthetic.
Drawbacks
- Can develop a woody taste.
- Limited lifespan due to internal porosity, which allows bacteria buildup over time.
- No flexible or bent options, limiting accessibility.
Bamboo straws are hand wash only, but their natural appeal makes them ideal for brands emphasizing sustainability.
Silicone Straws
Silicone straws are a family-friendly favorite for their soft, flexible design and bright, customizable colors.
Key Features
- Soft and safe for children.
- Dishwasher-safe and reusable.
- Can be straight or bent, and even cut to size.
- Transportable with creative carry cases like keyrings or carabiner clips.
Drawbacks
- Not recyclable—will eventually end up in landfill.
- Must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid bacterial buildup.
For branding, silicone straws offer endless possibilities. They can be printed or debossed, and their accessories, like carry cases, provide extra branding opportunities.
Paper Straws
Paper straws are the go-to single-use eco-friendly option for events.
Key Features
- Biodegradable and available in various colors to match your brand or décor.
- Cost-effective for large-scale promotions.
Drawbacks
- Prone to becoming soggy, especially in thick beverages.
- Short lifespan and higher production energy compared to their reusable counterparts.
- Contribute to deforestation.
Paper straws are best suited for short-term events where a disposable option is necessary. They come in recyclable cardboard packaging that’s easy to brand.
Wheat/Hay Straws
The original straw is making a comeback as a sustainable, single-use option.
Key Features
- Made from a biproduct of wheat or hay production, minimizing waste.
- Compostable and biodegradable within 1–2 months.
- Gluten-free, as the gluten is in the seed, not the stem.
Drawbacks
- No bent options, limiting accessibility.
Wheat/hay straws are taste-free and locally produced in Australia. They come in recycled cardboard packaging that’s perfect for branding.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Straws?
Straws may not be the first product you think of for promotional merchandise, but their impact can be significant. A single person switching to a reusable straw stops 584 plastic straws per year from polluting the planet.
By choosing eco-friendly straws, you’re aligning your brand with sustainability and providing a practical, memorable product that customers will appreciate.
Explore our range of eco-friendly products today! For more environmentally conscious options, visit our online catalogue or check out our article on enviro bags.
Eco-friendly straws are good for the planet, great for people, and excellent for marketing. 🌱