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Paper straws worse for the environment than plastic ones: study
New York Post • • world
Key Points:
- A South Korean study found that paper straws have a worse environmental impact than plastic ones, generating over six times more carcinogens and twice the acidification damage compared to standard plastic straws.
- Traditional plastic straws showed the lowest environmental footprint in 10 out of 16 categories analyzed, including human toxicity and climate change impact.
- Paper straws are rarely recycled due to their small size and water-resistant coatings, which also complicate breakdown and processing, potentially leading to microplastic contamination.
- Bio-based straws made from materials like sugarcane demonstrated even higher environmental harm, producing 16 times the carcinogenic impact of plastic straws.
- Experts recommend using reusable straws made from durable materials such as stainless steel or silicone as a more sustainable alternative.
