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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just want plastic straws back!

329 replies

Malahide · 08/08/2024 21:16

Lighthearted - mostly!

I’m so sick of paper straws turning to mush before a drink is even finished, they just aren’t fit for purpose. Add in the awful wooden cutlery that you now get (I want my salad to actually taste like salad, not wood!!) and the cardboard takeaway containers which begin to disintegrate as soon as they touch food and all of a sudden I’m reconsidering whether the planet is really worth saving…

I’m joking of course but surely I’m not the only one who feels this way? There have to be better alternatives out there than paper, wood & cardboard that just seem to ruin everything!

OP posts:
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5
WiganPie · 08/08/2024 21:52

Cheese straws are nice

Kipperthedawg · 08/08/2024 21:51

ShoehornSheryl · 08/08/2024 21:21

We went to America last year and the single use plastic and the like was ASTOUNDING. I’m sure other countries are the same. And yet little old England is trying to save the planet with paper straws and attaching the fecking bottle lid to the bottle.

Agreed. Walmart wanted us to bag each item separately. So loaf of bread in one bag, jar of jam in another etc. People walking out of the shop with 90 plastic bags.

XenoBitch · 08/08/2024 21:51

Newgirls · 08/08/2024 21:47

Plastic forks were nasty to eat off - better to take your own fork or use ones at work

straws - just take the lid off and drink the rest

we have a mad takeaway culture now - hardly any cafes seem to want to wash up now!

A cafe in my town keeps serving in takeaway cups only as they are short staffed...and that is the sign of a bigger problem that is nothing to do with straws or single use plastic.

oakleaffy · 08/08/2024 21:50

Toomuchcuddles · 08/08/2024 21:24

I hate paper straws. Not sure paper even that good for environment as paper means cutting down trees and when used for food can’t be recycled.

I think we need to come up with something else that doesn’t fall apart and is biodegradable

In Yugoslavia as a kid on holiday {years ago} the straws were actually STRAW.
They were wonderful.
Don't know why they can't make them nowadays.

They do!

https://www.mdsassociates.com/suck-on-straws-made-from-wheat#:~:text=When%20wheat%20straw%20is%20processed,stirrers%20and%20plastic%20drink%20straws.

Real Straws Made From Wheat Straw | Plastic Straw Alternative

https://www.mdsassociates.com/suck-on-straws-made-from-wheat#:~:text=When%20wheat%20straw%20is%20processed,stirrers%20and%20plastic%20drink%20straws.

Original poster
Malahide · 08/08/2024 21:50

AhBiscuits · 08/08/2024 21:49

What I can't quite get my head round is how loads of people in America eat off paper plates every day. What the hell?

Show quote history

It has always baffled me that so many of them actively choose to eat off paper plates. Horrible things!

OP posts:
AhBiscuits · 08/08/2024 21:49

ShoehornSheryl · 08/08/2024 21:21

We went to America last year and the single use plastic and the like was ASTOUNDING. I’m sure other countries are the same. And yet little old England is trying to save the planet with paper straws and attaching the fecking bottle lid to the bottle.

What I can't quite get my head round is how loads of people in America eat off paper plates every day. What the hell?

Lonelycrab · 08/08/2024 21:47

The less single use plastic items we have the better so I’m sorry, Yabu.

Newgirls · 08/08/2024 21:47

Plastic forks were nasty to eat off - better to take your own fork or use ones at work

straws - just take the lid off and drink the rest

we have a mad takeaway culture now - hardly any cafes seem to want to wash up now!

XenoBitch · 08/08/2024 21:47

Actually, a PP has a fair point. The drinks you tend to have with straws are still being served in a plastic cup.

Original poster
Malahide · 08/08/2024 21:47

olympicsrock · 08/08/2024 21:46

Who are you people?? Stop using straws!
What a waste!

Evil straw user and proud.

OP posts:
Original poster
Malahide · 08/08/2024 21:46

Starlightstarbright3 · 08/08/2024 21:43

I bought some compostable straws off eBay they split .

out of curiosity how do you was reusable straws .. I don’t have a dishwasher so can’t imagine swilling it through will clean a McDonald’s milkshake out

They usually come with a brush that allows you to wash inside of them by hand. I wouldn’t trust a dishwasher alone to be fully effective with them anyway

OP posts:
olympicsrock · 08/08/2024 21:46

Who are you people?? Stop using straws!
What a waste!

Topofthemountain · 08/08/2024 21:45

ImpossibleTh1ng · 08/08/2024 21:42

So buy a metal or silicon one. My autistic daughter uses them .

Show quote history

Err I do. It was in response to a "no-one needs to use a straw"

He uses a metal one at home and the previously posted Joie travel one when away.

Original poster
Malahide · 08/08/2024 21:45

EatTheGnome · 08/08/2024 21:36

There is an alternative. Bring your own.

You know you need a phone so you bring one. Tissues? Check. Pop a little bag in with those bits and you're set.

When purchasing an often pricey takeaway smoothie/coffee etc I really do not believe that having a decent straw provided to drink it with should be a big ask..

Yes, I can bring my own but it’s inconvenient.

OP posts:
CheeseWisely · 08/08/2024 21:45

I can't abide wooden cutlery, it makes me gag. I can just about manage to use it to spear something that I can then pick off without it touching my tongue or lips but on a BA long haul flight a while ago they served both chocolate mousse and then yoghurt with wooden spoons, the absolute savages 🤮🤮🤮

A friend with a similar affliction bought me a little tin of metal camping cutlery that screws together and it's a lifesaver. The whole tin is only the size of the palm of my hand. I keep it in the car glovebox for when we're out and about, and take it on holiday just without the knife if we're flying.

ODFOx · 08/08/2024 21:44

Four years ago I bought each of the DC a kit like this which includes a set of cutlery, 2 straws and a brush in a little pouch (all in different colours) , for their Christmas stockings. They are metal.
4 years on they have been used for college, Uni, picnics, festivals and camping.
This week I ordered them for DH and I, just for camping. No regrets.

Starlightstarbright3 · 08/08/2024 21:43

I bought some compostable straws off eBay they split .

out of curiosity how do you was reusable straws .. I don’t have a dishwasher so can’t imagine swilling it through will clean a McDonald’s milkshake out

Londonrach1 · 08/08/2024 21:42

Yanbu. I see patients with dementia and they struggle to drink due to silly paper straws.

ImpossibleTh1ng · 08/08/2024 21:42

Topofthemountain · 08/08/2024 21:36

Many posters however have said about the need to use them due to ill health or disability. I've also said about my ds (autism) needing to use a straw to take his daily medication.

Show quote history

So buy a metal or silicon one. My autistic daughter uses them .

CheeryUser · 08/08/2024 21:40

Try drinking a McDonalds milkshake through a paper straw. A most unedifying experience.

Icedblondeoatlatte · 08/08/2024 21:40

The worst thing about paper straws is that they are often served in a plastic cup 🙃

why not make the cups paper and give us our plastic straws back and everyone wins

MellersSmellers · 08/08/2024 21:39

YABU to want anything plastic back, but YANBU to want better, sustainable alternatives!

FlutteryButterfly · 08/08/2024 21:39

I have beautiful glass straws (tried the bamboo ones fir awhile but everything tasted well a bit woody) that I carry in my handbag/bags etc. Problem solved.

ComealongMartha · 08/08/2024 21:38

Paper straws can fuck off but as an adult with no sensory issues or disabilities that require a straw it really doesn’t bother me. I go commando.

Gravylady · 08/08/2024 21:37

You can still order plastic straws on Ebay...

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