Paper straws in drinks cartons FFS!

[QueenOfMe]

So DC came home for the 2nd time in a row yesterday with half a carton of Innocent smoothie all over his shirt and the rest of it leaked in his lunchbox. Had the same with his lunchbox drink, Capri Sun, so I had to stop using them.

Why, oh why would they put papers straws for drinks cartons which need to be pierced!? They are almost impossible to open. When I tried one myself I got juice all over the table after 10 minutes of trying to open it.

I’m all for saving the environment but not when it’s not workable!

Similarly Tesco have paper bags now for loose fruit and veg. The damn things rip as soon as you put more than one thing in them. If you’re picking up jacket potatoes for eg. you can only put one in a bag. Same with apples and bunches of bananas! I’ve complained many times but have been told they won’t be changed back to plastic!

It’s bloody ridiculous or AIBU?

I've noticed that the pack of ten innocent smoothies still have the plastic straw - at least from our local supermarket. The pack of four are paper and worse than useless.

YABU flask with water or squash. Or if you must use more plastics and environmentally unfriendly items use your own reusable straws. DS (4yrs) is quite keen on keeping our planet healthy as we've talked a lot about it. He is thrilled that his school are now using 'turtle friendly' straws for drinks.

We use reusable mesh bags for veg but if I forget those (regularly) I just put them in the trolley loose. No problem.

am certain my plastic straws don't end in the sea.
The regulations allow for a reasonable adjustment of plastic straws being available to those that need them.
See list of exemptions at
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2020/9780111193631
Exemption: packaging
8.—(1) Regulation 4(1) does not apply to the supply of a single-use plastic straw that is packaging.

(2) In this regulation, “packaging” has the same meaning as in regulation 3 of the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2015(12).

Exemption: other establishments
9.—(1) Regulation 4(1) does not apply to the supply of a single-use plastic straw in—

(a)a care home;
(b)premises used for early years provision;
(c)a school; or
(d)a prison or other place of detention.

Not an outright ban.
Buy a box of Amazon or other retailer of choice.

YANBU about those Tesco bags. The panel is the problem. Normal all paper bags are fine.

I really don’t mind, actually prefer using paper or reusable straws most of the time. Except for when you need to pierce a carton when they are not fit for purpose.

Someone mentioned Caprisun do a version with a screw top but presumably that’s plastic so not sure how that helps?

My kids hate the paper straws. Horrible and furry. Wooden cutlery is also furry to eat from. Always forgetting my portable cutlery set etc.

Just not as convenient all round. Faff having paper bags that split or remembering your own.

But the whole point is getting rid of this plastic shit that is causing untold damage might NOT be more convenient.

After disposable, throwaway, easy come easy go, it will feel really inconvenient.
But we have had that too long and it has done so much damage.

Berating it and calling it ridiculous is really really missing the point.

I just think with the modern tech available today we could come up with some environmentally friendly alternative to plastic that's better than simple paper. I've seen compostable plastics used for some packaging already, and people could come up with new inventions. I agree using reusable items is generally better but we could encourage that while still having some disposable available for times you need it.

As pp said, the fact that these paper straws are wrapped in plastic somewhat negates the environmental aspect of them. A cafe we used to go to a lot did homemade milkshakes, served in a glass that looked like a jam jar and a plastic straw. Now? They’re served in a disposable plastic takeaway cup with a plastic dome. Paper straw though. Makes no sense, surely the glass was better as it was washed and reused many, many times 🤷‍♀️.

But where can you buy reusable small straws with angle tip to pierce cartons?

Paper bags are OK, paper straws are not.

I just think with the modern tech available today we could come up with some environmentally friendly alternative to plastic that's better than simple paper

^This. Not enough funding or effort goes into the research of environmentally friendly materials IMO

My son loves the innocent smoothie cartons and it's a treat when we go to the park he has just learnt to use a straw so novelty for him too. I have a nightmare getting it pierced every time. What can I bring with me to pierce it? Can't find straws of this size that are reuseable

Cartons of anything are completely unnecessary, but a large bottle of smoothie and decant some into a reusable bottle. No straw, no bother. Why is this sort of stuff so hard to understand?