Paper Straws vs Plastic Straws: Comparison, Benefits & Drawbacks ...

Paper Straws vs Plastic Straws: Comparison, Benefits & Drawbacks
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Paper Straws vs Plastic Straws: Which is Better for the Environment?
These days, it feels like plastic straws have become symbolic of environmental damage. But paper straws are starting to become more and more popular. We’re being asked to consider the impact of our decisions, from what we buy to how we live, on the planet. So, which one is better for the environment: paper or plastic straws? Let’s take a look!
TLDR;
Paper straws are generally more eco-friendly and can biodegrade in a relatively short amount of time. However, they tend to become soggy quickly and can be more expensive than plastic straws.
Comparing Paper Straws and Plastic Straws
Paper straws and plastic straws have been pitted against one another in recent years due to their impact on the environment. Paper is seen as a more sustainable option while plastic is seen as a less eco-friendly choice.
On the surface, paper straws seem like the clear winner of this debate due to the fact that they’re biodegradable and do not take hundreds of years to break down as some plastic products do. Additionally, paper production uses less energy and produces fewer emissions than plastic production. Paper straws are also recyclable when done correctly, making them an even more attractive option for people who care about their environmental footprint.
However, not all hope is lost for those wishing to advocate for plastic straws. Plastic has made strides towards becoming a greener option with bioplastics, which are made from renewable sources, compostable plastics and polyester plastics which are more durable than traditional forms of plastic and have broadened the range of materials that can be recycled into new products.
Ultimately, it depends on consumer preferences and whether or not organizations are able to utilize more sustainable options such as bioplastics or compostable plastics. Although paper might be viewed as the most obvious choice for its natural properties, there is still room for plastic in the conversation if it’s used wisely. As we move forward with future discussions about sustainable straws, it’s important to consider how each material differentiates itself from one another- both in terms of strength, longevity, and disposal methods. With a closer look at these matterials differences between paper and plastic, we will now be able to make an informed decision about which material is best for the environment.
Material Differences
When looking at the material differences between paper straws and plastic straws, it becomes clear that one is a much better option for the environment than the other. Plastic straws are primarily composed of petroleum, which is an unsustainable resource that can be toxic to the environment once produced. Paper on the other hand, is made from less damaging and reusable sources. Many sustainable paper products are also biodegradable, which significantly lowers the risk of harming wildlife and natural habitats.
The debate between paper straws and plastic straws still remains; however, when considering environmental impacts it would seem that paper straws offer a much more sustainable option. Paper products are not only better for the environment but they often last longer and require fewer co2 emissions to produce compared to their plastic counterparts. With each passing year, more research has proven just how detrimental single-use plastics are to our planet. As such, it would appear that choosing paper over plastic is the right decision for 2020 and beyond.
Looking forward, it’s clear that switching to more eco-friendly alternatives can make a significant impact on our environment. While comparing paper straws and plastic straws may show us what materials are safest; understanding their benefits can further prove why making changes now will be beneficial in future years.
On average, a paper straw takes three hours to break down in the environment whereas a plastic straw can take up to 200 years.
A study published in 2017 found that paper straws use only 25% of the energy required for the production of plastic straws.
According to National Geographic, by 2050 plastics will account for 15% of global carbon emissions.
Essential Points to Remember
There is a debate over paper straws versus plastic straws, but when considering environmental impacts, paper straws offer a much more sustainable option. Paper straws are made from less damaging and reusable sources, biodegradable, last longer, and require fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Making eco-friendly changes now can make a significant impact on our environment for many years to come.
Benefits of Paper Straws
Paper straws are gaining immense popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to their plastic counterparts, but they offer several additional benefits that elevate them significantly. Paper straws are biodegradable, which means they can be broken down into natural elements without harming the environment. Additionally, since paper is a natural material, it does not contain additives like plastics, making it safe for use around food and beverages. Paper straws also have a more customer-centric benefit than plastic ones; because of their smaller size and added texture, paper straws are more comfortable to use and apply less pressure to the user’s lips during consumption.
In addition, due to their durable design, paper straws last as long as plastic straws in liquids but are much better for the environment than their plastic counterparts at the end of their life cycle. In terms of cost efficiency, paper straws may have higher upfront costs compared to plastic ones, but the added sustainability makes up for any potential short-term expense. Furthermore, since paper is a renewable source used frequently throughout the food industry, many businesses have begun using paper straws in place of plastic in order to reduce their environmental footprint while increasing their marketing efforts by putting forth an effort towards sustainability.
Although there are both sides of the argument on if paper straws are ultimately better for the environment than plastic ones, evidence supports that they do indeed offer numerous advantages over plastic such as biodegradability and comfort. To round off this segment assessing the benefits of paper straws we transition now to explore how other materials can be even more sustainable alternatives.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives
When analyzing Paper Straws vs Plastic Straws from an environmental perspective, it is important to consider the availability of eco-friendly alternatives. In recent years, there has been a growing market for more sustainable options to meet consumer demands for more environmentally friendly products. Biodegradable bamboo, glass, and metal straws are just a few of the many available products on the market. All of these alternatives put a different spin on reducing single use plastic straw waste by replacing them with reusable options.
When considering these alternatives, it is important to take into account the health risks they may pose in comparison to the primary candidates discussed – paper and plastic straws. For example, depending on one’s health history, metal straws may not be a viable option as some people have metal allergies that can be triggered by contact with metals. Additionally, it should also be noted that metal straws pose a burn risk if one consumes a hot beverage while using metal straws as metal conducts heat quickly. By contrast, both paper and plastic straws provide insulation against heat, making them a safer choice in comparison to metal alternatives.
Before settling on one kind of product or another, it is important to weigh all the pros and cons between each type of material to ensure one makes the most informed decision based on their individual needs and use case.
Despite this consideration for alternatives and the need for research around what constitutes the most sensible standard for sustainable consumption practices, it remains clear that plastic straws cannot be completely replaced without addressing single-use culture at its root cause. This reiterates the importance of transitioning from plastic to paper as not only does it prevent more plastic from entering our oceans and landfills but it also offers meaningful benefits over traditional plastics when studied critically. With that said, further discussion should thus be had about potential risks posed by plastic which will be addressed in the following section.
Disadvantages of Plastic Straws
While plastic straws are considered more convenient for many, their environmental drawbacks should definitely be taken into consideration. They are created from petroleum and other toxic chemicals which have a negative effect on the surrounding environment. According to a study by University of Plymouth, nearly 8 million metric tons of plastic waste are thought to enter the world’s oceans every year. Without proper disposing methods, these straws can take hundreds of years to biodegrade and as a result contribute heavily to plastic pollution in the ocean. Moreover, when confronted with an encounter with animals, these plastic straws can easily break into small pieces like microbeads and consequently have harmful effects.
These disadvantages emphasise the importance of using eco-friendly alternatives such as paper straws over plastic ones. Moving forward, we will now explore how this type of disposable garbage can impact marine life.
Harmful Effects on Marine Life
The harmful effects of plastic straws on marine life have been widely documented and not enough can be said about the perils of ocean pollution as a result of plastic waste. When exposed to sunlight, plastic can fragment into microplastics, which are ingested by aquatic organisms like fish and plankton, eventually making their way up the food chain and potentially into our food supply. Plastics also cause entanglement and ingestion risks for wildlife, take hundreds of years to decompose, and release toxins into the environment.
Currently, paper straws present a much more sustainable alternative to combat this issue. They are biodegradable and breaks down quickly in water, meaning they pose no threat to marine animals. Most widely available paper straws are also made from recycled materials or natural fibers such as bamboo – adding further sustainability points. Furthermore, paper straws have a minimal carbon footprint compared to other common alternatives like metal or glass straws.
Despite the current trends of switching to paper straws however, environmental organizations still advise people to “refuse single-use items whenever possible” in an effort to reduce pollution. It’s important we remember that dedicated efforts need to be made in order to protect our oceans from plastic pollution in the long run – otherwise we risk facing catastrophic consequences far beyond those caused by plastic straws alone.
Although it’s clear that paper straws offer a significantly better solution than plastic ones when it comes to protecting aquatic life from pollution, cost considerations should still be taken into account before making any final decisions regarding which one is best suited for specific applications.
Cost Considerations of Paper vs Plastic Straws
The cost consideration of paper vs plastic straws is an important factor to consider when debating which type of straw is more beneficial for the environment. Plastic straws are a far cheaper option out of the two, as they cost around 2 cents per straw, while a paper straw costs between 8 and 10 cents a straw. Additionally, the cost to transport paper straws is significantly higher than that of plastic due to their added weight and fragility; moreover, they can become soggy over time, presenting additional costs relating to replacing them.
Nonetheless, it should be noted that one of the main attractions associated with paper straws is that they are compostable and biodegradable. It has been found that after decomposing into organic matter in soil beds or compost piles, paper straws can act as a fertilizer supply for vegetation growing in that location. This could potentially lead to savings with respect to fertilizers and other chemicals used by gardeners, contributing to overall environmental sustainability benefits associated with the aforementioned products.
It is important to recognize that while plastic straws are much more affordable upfront, their high degree of durability also encourages wastage in comparison to paper straws; as such, paper straws could represent far better value for money over their longer-term usage lifespan. Furthermore, local authorities may offer tax discounts or incentives for businesses using eco-friendly products like paper straws; thus minimizing the overall cost considerations associated with these types of items.
In summary, when examining the costs associated with paper and plastic straws, it must be noted that there are pros and cons with each material from an economic standpoint. While upfront costs may be lower for plastic straws due to their lower unit price and ease of transportation/storage, saving money in terms of replacement costs and potential governmental incentives makes using paper a much more viable long-term option if sustainability before price is taken into consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions Explained
What are the environmental impacts of paper and plastic straws?
The environmental impacts of paper and plastic straws vary depending on their material makeup, production process and disposal methods. Paper straws are made from renewable resources such as trees, bamboo, or wheat straws, which provide enough fiber for manufacturers to produce them in an efficient manner with minimal waste. As such, paper straws can be considered more eco-friendly than their plastic counterparts since the manufacturing process is less energy-intensive, without the need for hazardous chemicals used in the making of plastic straws.
In contrast, plastic straws are generally made from petroleum-based materials that take thousands of years to break down. The production process associated with creating plastic straws involves significant energy consumption as well as water pollution problems when released into waterways. Additionally, when disposed of improperly plastic straws can choke natural habitats due to their flimsy and lightweight nature.
Overall, when considering environmental impacts it is evident that paper straws are more sustainable because they are biodegradable, generate fewer emissions during production and offer a longer lifespan than their plastic counterparts. However, both materials still have substantial environmental costs associated with them so it’s important to minimize usage whenever possible.
How does the manufacturing process for paper and plastic straws differ?
The manufacturing process for paper and plastic straws can differ depending on the type and quality of material used to create them. Paper straws are typically made from either card stock or paper board. The basic steps in the manufacturing process include cutting a roll of paper into thin strips; these strips get cut into the desired length and diameter that will eventually form the straws. A coating is then added to prevent them from getting soggy, which also helps retain their structure when placed in a beverage.
On the other hand, plastic straws are generally made out of polypropylene which is a type of thermoplastic material. It starts off as pellets that are melted down and shaped into hollow tubes using injection molding machines. The resulting tubes are then cut into the shape and lengths of drinking straws. Additionally, different types of PLA (polylactic acid) plastics have been developed recently to make biodegradable or compostable plastic straws, which drastically reduces their impact on the environment by eliminating their non-biodegradable nature, therefore making it much more eco-friendly.
What are the pros and cons of paper straws versus plastic straws?
The main pros and cons of paper straws versus plastic straws have to do with the environment.
Pros of Paper Straws:
• Paper straws are biodegradable which means they break down more quickly in the environment than plastic.
• They can also be recycled if composting is not an option.
• Paper straws have less of an environmental impact than plastic straws, releasing fewer chemicals into the air and water when they decompose.
Cons of Paper Straws:
• Paper straws are not as strong as plastic straws, so they may not hold up well under certain conditions, such as hot drinks or acidic drinks.
• They can become soggy or disintegrate faster than plastic straws and thus may require more frequent replacement.
• Paper straw production requires more energy than that of plastic straws, resulting in a greater carbon footprint for paper-based products.
Ultimately, both paper and plastic have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to sustainability. By looking at the pros and cons above and considering other factors, such as individual usage patterns and the availability of recycling programs, we can make an informed decision about which material is best suited for our needs while keeping the environmental impact in mind.