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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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Topofthemountain · 08/08/2024 21:36

MrsPinkFlower · 08/08/2024 21:30

Theres not one drink out there that has to be drank using a straw. You can just remove the lid and drink directly from the cup. Or carry your own alternative type of straw around with you. I’m glad our government is taking steps to reduce our plastic use.

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.

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.

changedusernameforthis1 · 08/08/2024 21:35

Agreed! Although I don't want plastic straws back, I think there must be a better way to stop using plastic.
I tried silicone straws but even with washing them thoroughly, after a few months they ended up with a bit of a smell.
Haven't tried metal, might have to give them a go. They have pretty colours on amazon 🤔

Gogogo12345 · 08/08/2024 21:35

Pebbles16 · 08/08/2024 21:22

Metal straws are your friend

See I find metal straws make my whole drink taste of metal. Just nasty. We do need and alternative to the crappy paper ones though

ImpossibleTh1ng · 08/08/2024 21:35

Sheelanogig · 08/08/2024 21:33

But it's surprising how many people with illnesses or disabilities need a straw that's of substance. The removal of them really disadvantages them.

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So they can take one of the many re usable options that are available with them.

DamnNutella · 08/08/2024 21:35

I’m a rebel and bought a pack of 300 plastic bendy straws for use at home. I tried the reusable ones but they just get so gross and those little brushes stop working after a while and I just can’t be bothered.

when I was in Fuerteventura earlier this year the hotel had biscuit straws that were really hard but softened a bit as you drank and they were quite nice!!

JaninaDuszejko · 08/08/2024 21:34

Best impulse buy ever was when DH bought metal reuseable straws. Far superior to all other options. But I see you have them. I think it's just a case of carrying reusable ones with you at all times.

Original poster
Malahide · 08/08/2024 21:34

Areolaborealis · 08/08/2024 21:32

The fact that they disintegrate into the food and drink worries me. Paper might be eco friendly but its not meant to be consumed which is what's happening when they fall apart into the drink. There must be chemicals, dyes, glues also which cant be healthy.

The brightly coloured ones do worry me quite a lot. I am certain that some of the dyes/glues from less reputable suppliers aren’t exactly food grade

OP posts:
Sheelanogig · 08/08/2024 21:33

MrsPinkFlower · 08/08/2024 21:30

Theres not one drink out there that has to be drank using a straw. You can just remove the lid and drink directly from the cup. Or carry your own alternative type of straw around with you. I’m glad our government is taking steps to reduce our plastic use.

But it's surprising how many people with illnesses or disabilities need a straw that's of substance. The removal of them really disadvantages them.

ImpossibleTh1ng · 08/08/2024 21:33

Zanatdy · 08/08/2024 21:32

Yes and if you watch any US instagrammers, many use throw away plates etc. I saw one ripping open carrier bags as all will go in the bin. We have made a lot of positive changes in the U.K. but seems the rest of the world isn’t following our lead

Show quote history

Europe and China are.

mynameiscalypso · 08/08/2024 21:33

thejollypostwoman · 08/08/2024 21:27

Not even going to wind you all up by mentioning the paper ones that go into the innocent smoothie juice cartons...

These are the absolute bane of my existence.

Zanatdy · 08/08/2024 21:32

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.

Yes and if you watch any US instagrammers, many use throw away plates etc. I saw one ripping open carrier bags as all will go in the bin. We have made a lot of positive changes in the U.K. but seems the rest of the world isn’t following our lead

Original poster
Malahide · 08/08/2024 21:32

MrsPinkFlower · 08/08/2024 21:30

Theres not one drink out there that has to be drank using a straw. You can just remove the lid and drink directly from the cup. Or carry your own alternative type of straw around with you. I’m glad our government is taking steps to reduce our plastic use.

For many people and many reasons this is not the case. I am able bodied and can drink from a cup perfectly fine - lots of others aren’t so fortunate and need to use straws on a daily basis.

OP posts:
Areolaborealis · 08/08/2024 21:32

The fact that they disintegrate into the food and drink worries me. Paper might be eco friendly but its not meant to be consumed which is what's happening when they fall apart into the drink. There must be chemicals, dyes, glues also which cant be healthy.

XenoBitch · 08/08/2024 21:32

MrsPinkFlower · 08/08/2024 21:30

Theres not one drink out there that has to be drank using a straw. You can just remove the lid and drink directly from the cup. Or carry your own alternative type of straw around with you. I’m glad our government is taking steps to reduce our plastic use.

Some people have disabilities that mean that they can only drink through a straw.
Off the top of my head... knew a chap with Parkinsons who would spill a hot drink over himself if he had to drink without a straw.

Foxybyname · 08/08/2024 21:32

Yep, I hear you!
The annoying thing is I hear that many 'paper' straws aren't in fact paper and their coating renders them unrecyclable, whereas plastic straws are fully recyclable 🙄
I'm a real 'rule-follower' but I buy plastic straws and always keep a few in my bag!

Dweetfidilove · 08/08/2024 21:32

Paper straws are shit! I have metal ones for use at home amd some ancient plastic ones I'm working through.

BabygirlTom · 08/08/2024 21:32

bunchofsunflowers · 08/08/2024 21:31

Hate paper straws with a passion. Absolutely ruined ice coffee and bubble tea. At home I have glass and metal straws but have never been organised enough to have one with me when I want a drink out. Do people just carry a straw in their bag? I know I never will!

The attached bottle caps are also a new hell. They don’t screw on properly and leak everywhere.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kynup-4Pack-Metal-Straws/dp/B07ZBZ6CCC/ref=mpssa1115?crid=292K0MD740WOF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R2eFihuZbP17IJ13Kx0tCurwcXxjH0kolo75B5dU6DddPnNh8htQrwZzSiiodlRpoh1O9rohqSEIpHTtg8rdYhz0S1yxJsrZ595rg3fUob0H231KBFkkISuNAN12WlwuUgb2410CA79ZpdDQAJSx6u3BXAyuujPARtSmP7e4CMsukHOQT1ILT2PvDsAb77N5JOkyXRho12PjrbS0BQMg.U5n25hKLqTSZ7U1GfOqYmE0tXDDHDUHfdXc0v9yAvHs&dib_tag=se&keywords=drink+straw+holder&qid=1723148984&sprefix=drink+straw%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-15

coxesorangepippin · 08/08/2024 21:32

Yup

Wooden ones are awful

Deadringer · 08/08/2024 21:31

I haven't used a straw since I was a small child, if I needed one I would use a metal one. Curious as to why an adult (disability aside) would need a straw?

bunchofsunflowers · 08/08/2024 21:31

Hate paper straws with a passion. Absolutely ruined ice coffee and bubble tea. At home I have glass and metal straws but have never been organised enough to have one with me when I want a drink out. Do people just carry a straw in their bag? I know I never will!

The attached bottle caps are also a new hell. They don’t screw on properly and leak everywhere.

MrsPinkFlower · 08/08/2024 21:30

Theres not one drink out there that has to be drank using a straw. You can just remove the lid and drink directly from the cup. Or carry your own alternative type of straw around with you. I’m glad our government is taking steps to reduce our plastic use.

Nat6999 · 08/08/2024 21:30

I found jumbo plastic straws on Amazon, I needed them when I was recovering from pneumonia & had a mouth full of sores so bad I couldn't open my mouth. I was worried about reinfection & wanted something disposable.

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