To just want plastic straws back!

[Malahide]

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!

Fuck yes

Yep - l hate Subway salads in cardboard boxes and paper straws are not fit for purpose unless you are drinking out of an egg cup!

If you think paper straws are bad - try pasta straws......!

Erm no not really. I just think about the benefits to the world. And thank god i have a mouth that can manage to drink without a straw

I genuinely can’t bring myself to eat out of soggy cardboard with salad dressing etc on it - really puts me off!

You’ve never gotten a takeaway iced coffee or smoothie in your lifetime then?

Yes, I don't mind bamboo cutlery or cardboard containers, but paper straws are awful and not fit for purpose. It's especially ridiculous when you get the drink in a plastic cup, or with a plastic lid.

We have bought silicone straws for using at home

Paper straws are absolutely useless for the elderly or infirm. My late DF who had dementia could not drink from a cup and Paper straws were not robust enough for him.

I don’t want them back but I completely agree. Paper straws are dreadful!

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 - these eco paper straws are not fit for purpose and turn to mush when you’re half way through the drink. And you can’t use your mouth for all drinks like thick milkshakes…. you need a decent straw. I have a metal straw that I sometimes take with me to the cinema.

Could you get a reusable straw and cutlery set to carry with you? There are some fairly small options, if this is something you do a lot.

It is annoying for sure, the straws especially, as I never have one with me the few times I decide to unexpectedly buy a drink.

There are some other options for cutlery, some kind of plant based stuff that feels more like plastic and doesn't taste/feel like wood.

Thank god Pret have the smooth cardboard spoons now rather than wood. The feel of a rough wooden spoon while eating is horrible.

Yes, paper straws are shite. They are utterly useless with bubble tea. They soak up the liquid and shrink, so you can't suck up the bubbles anymore. I do tend to carry my own re-usable one about now.

I can't get on with wooden cutlery at all. The texture sets my teeth on edge.

I went a bit mad on reusable straws when they first came in - we are proud owners of stainless steel, glass and even pasta ones (which sound bizarre but are actually excellent!)

Metal straws are your friend

YANBU. I can't use paper straws or wooden cutlery as the feel of them goes right through me so I carry my own set of plastic cutlery with me when out and about. You can get reusable plastic straws too but I'll just take the paper straw out and drink from the glass instead.

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

I bought some metal straws and I keep a couple in my bag and a couple in the car. (Obviously they go through the dishwasher when used).

Paper straws are just about ok for coke or juice, but no good for thick milkshakes etc

In the words of the late great Sean lock….. it’s like turning up to the scene of an earthquake with a dustpan and brush

We have -reusable metal straws. Just take your own.

I have one of these. It is for ds when we go away so he can take his tablets (will only do it with a straw). Small enough to carry around day to day if needed though.

https://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/joie-on-the-go-reusable-straw-with-storage-case-asstd

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

It’s an ASD texture issue for me. I have problems with all sorts of things, like cardboard, pencils, and paper that isn’t smooth. They make my teeth hurt to touch them or hear other people using them.

putting a paper straw in my mouth is physically painful.

I happily stock reusable straws at home. I now travel with cutlery that I keep in my hotel room. Every family member has a nice compact set. When I am out and about during the day though I need to keep the weight of my bag low, so I carry a few plastic disposable items.