Plastic straws, once a staple in drinks worldwide, are now declining in use.

An estimated 500 million straws are used every day in the US alone. The plastic waste ends up in our oceans, soil, and air, and a movement has begun to combat this pollution.

Since 2018, countries such as Bali, Jamaica, Belize, and Taiwan have banned plastic straws and other disposable plastic products.

In the US, a number of states, including Utah, Arizona, New York, and Florida, have rolled out partial bans, and companies such as Starbucks, Disney, and Royal Caribbean are pledging to ban or limit plastic straw usage.

The movement has also led to a change in consumer behavior, with some refusing plastic straws and putting pressure on restaurants to switch to alternatives.

If you're considering the move to more sustainable solutions but want to make sure your menu is accessible to everyone, here are some of the best plastic alternatives.

Plastic Straw Alternatives in Restaurants

1. Glass Straws

Glass straws are an excellent eco-friendly replacement. They're reusable, recyclable, and, unlike paper straws, they don't change the taste of your drink.

With glass straws, you won't need to buy new straws every week, but what about the risk of breakage?

If you want to stock glass straws at your restaurant, make sure you buy from a brand that uses shatter-resistant borosilicate. 

You and your clumsiest customers can drop these straws without any fear of them breaking. 

2. Metal Straws

Looking for a straw alternative that will last a lifetime? Metal straws could be what your restaurant needs.

These straws are easy to clean and don't fall apart, which means that they're a one-time investment.

The downside? These straws transfer heat easily. It's not the best idea to drink hot coffee through a metal straw. 

Metal straws are also rigid and inflexible, making them hard for people with disabilities to use. If you have disabled or heat-sensitive customers, you'll want to have a backup option on hand.

3. Hay Straws

Did you know that straw use dates back to the 1800s? People used grain stalks to sip on drinks, and some companies are going back to basics.

Not only are hay straws biodegradable, but you can pick up a pack of 100 for as little as $7.

4. Bamboo

Bamboo straws are one of the most popular straw alternatives. Bamboo is a sustainable, biodegradable material. Bamboo straws offer a middle ground between single-use and reusable straws.

While bamboo straws won't last you a lifetime, like metal, they don't conduct heat or cold, which makes them a viable alternative for people who are sensitive to temperatures.

5. Seaweed Straws

Yup. You read that right.

Seaweed straws are the newest alternative to plastic straws. The plant is easy to grow, sucks up carbon, and is compostable. They have a similar texture to plastic straws, but they will quickly biodegrade into food for marine animals if they end up in the ocean.

Curious about stocking seaweed straws at your restaurant and keeping your menus accessible? Loliware is a start-up making waves in the plastic alternatives scene.

6. Dry Pasta Noodles as Straws

Another unique take on plastic straw replacements is pasta noodles. Gone are the days of only using noodles to satiate your hunger.

You can now use them to transport liquids to your mouth.

Noodle straws are a better option than paper straws, which deplete natural resources and turn mushy after use. Plus, noodle straws are biodegradable and cost-effective.

You can scoop up a pack of 1000 pasta straws for only $69.90, which works out to $0.069 apiece.

Additional Tips 

Online ordering and curbside pickup have helped restaurants expand their service options, especially during the pandemic. However, the boom in carryout ordering has led to a boom in plastic and paper waste in the form of straws, to-go containers, and cutlery.

More than 100 million pieces of plastic cutlery are thrown away in America every day. Diners who order meals through your Menufy ordering website will be presented with the opportunity to decline cutlery. We created this “no cutlery” option for consumers looking to do their part to reduce plastic waste.

Another strategy for curbing your use of single-use plastic is to only offer straws on request. It's a quick and easy way to reduce waste in your restaurant and save on supplies.

Keep Your Menu Accessible

While becoming a greener restaurant is good for the environment, don't remove plastic straws altogether. Some customers with disabilities rely on straws to drink independently.

Keep a few plastic straws, even some that bend, for customers who need assistance enjoying their drinks. It's a simple way for your restaurant to be inclusive while still doing your part to reduce plastic waste.

For the majority of your customers, consider using alternatives to plastic straws to cut down on plastic waste. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Dimmitt, Marketing Communications Coordinator

Melissa began her digital marketing career nearly a decade ago at a restaurant group. She worked with restaurant managers and executive chefs while coordinating seasonal menu releases, executing photoshoots, and creating fresh digital content.