Do we keep sucking?

 Okay, we're saying it.

The best alternative against a single-use plastic straw is to not use any straw at all.

But! If you happen to have one of our straws or plan on buying, here are the fast facts that you should be aware of:

• Metal straws are made out of... well, steel, which is a non-renewable resource that is extracted from the Earth. Mining creates carbon emissions, erosion, deforestation. This in turn also impacts communities and ecosystems in mining areas.
• The processing entails using a lot of water and energy, which, again has its share of negative impact.
• Once made into straws, they're normally packed in individual single-use plastic, shipped via plane in a box, and arrives to the local distributor. To create lesser waste, we have them shipped via sea. The straws arrive at our headquarters in a sealed carton box in bulk, as opposed to having it in individual plastic packaging. This is actually the reason why some straws have scratches.
• Goods bought online are typically shipped through couriers that use single-use pouches and receptacles. We’ve done our part here by sending your goods in compostable packaging.

Essentially, with this amount of impact, you’d need to use your straw at least 1000 times before it offsets the production footprint of a plastic straw.

The great thing about these metal straws is the material itself. Steel, one of the most recycled materials in the world, is one of the few things that when recycled, does not lose any integrity, unlike plastic. It’s also the most sanitary, given its washability, and it’s the most durable of them all. We ensure that the straws you get are high grade 18/8 stainless steel, certified for quality and health.

Now, it does sound a bit confusing. Does it mean you should just stay with the normal plastic straw? Of course not. Plastic is still a major contributor to marine litter. Let’s keep in mind, however, that we go beyond the metal straws and look at the other aspects that we could do our part in mitigating our waste. We are not strictly anti-plastic, and we strive to be a company that practices circularity.

The interesting thing however with this movement after 5 years is that it's gone way beyond the metal straw. Advocates from all over have brought it to a level we would've never thought possible. They've led their own conversations which lead to initiatives that impact communities, or even starting their own zero waste business. The discussions are no longer about what simple alternative can be used to replace a single use plastic, but what systems can sustain these efforts in the long term. And whether or not it was because of the metal straw, we're just thankful to be have been part of the journey. 

Disruptive conversations are a revolution in itself. We're glad to have you close the Loop with us. 😉