Managing director of quality disposables manufacturer and supplier, Herald, Yogesh Patel, considers what the alternatives are to the plastic straw as the case against this much maligned item continues to grow. Could 2018 be the year in which we finally witness the demise of the plastic straw?
With pubs, bars and restaurants now contemplating calling time on single useage, disposable, plastic straws, we might well be on the verge of turning into a nation of drink sippers, relegating straws to the history books once and for all.
Ardent, die-hard campaigners are now being joined by the more passive environmentalists and regular Joes in our midst, as the urge to take a stance is now being felt by larger numbers around the UK. It’s been a big concern in the media for some time, resurfacing at regular intervals, between talk of Brexit and royal engagements and the calls to action are now resonating for something to be done to prevent future environmental disaster.
We are now introducing PLA (corn starch) and paper straws to our range in direct response to the horrendous images of sea turtles suffering from encounters with standard, plastic straws that have circulated in recent years. Once pictures and footage like that are in the public domain and awareness is raised, it’s only a matter of time before those businesses who don’t react, and offer alternatives, suffer the consequences of looking the other way.
Yes, PLA items are more expensive but there are certain café bars, pubs and restaurants that value, and take pride in, their ethical credentials and their customers are loyal to them precisely because of that. Our job as a supplier is to reach out to those of our customers who supply to these establishments to ensure that they are aware of the biodegradable alternatives that are on the market right now.
Our PLA plastic straws are 100 per cent biodegradable and come in black and clear, while our paper straws are available in red and black stripes and provide an equally durable and robust choice.
We’re working hard to ease the price brackets on these products to make them more attractive but there will always be some cost implication.
However, as this specific environmental issue is a serious one, that’s very much in the public eye, I expect that the businesses that we supply to in 2018 will extend the items that they make available so that bars, pubs and clubs can fall in line and address customer demand. It’s about giving people a considered, ethical choice and not inflicting bad decisions upon them through lack of variety.
These straws are an addition to our pioneering range of beverage auxiliary products which includes the UK’s first edible straws. The edible straws have a wide audience as the strawberry, lemon and lime flavoured straws are being used to complement cocktails and other alcoholic beverages as well as being sold as a sweet treat for the kids. Like PLA straws and paper straws, the edible straws have an environmental sell, although this one is a lot more basic: Instead of throwing away the straw, you eat it!
For further information on Herald and its products, visit www.heraldplastic.com.