The complete guide to bamboo straws
Bamboo straws continue to gain popularity among consumers. After all, they are a gift from nature!
We have created a list of frequently asked questions to help you get more familiar with bamboo straws and to hopefully answer every question you have about the eco-friendly drinking tool.
What kind of bamboo are bamboo straws made of?
One of the most popular and preferred types of bamboo for making straws is the Scizostachyum Blumei Bamboo. This variety is used to make sure the straws consist of 100% natural organic bamboo. After cultivation, the whole bamboo stalks are crafted and smoked or sun-dried until completion and the final product can be crafted.
How are straws made from bamboo?
Bamboo is an excellent material for making straws. Not only that, making straws from bamboo is a straightforward process.
The best manufacturers make bamboo straws out of organic bamboo sourced from wild plantations. They cut the bamboo allow it to dry naturally in the sun for several days.
Once fully dry, they move the bamboo to the workshop, where it is cut down to 20-21 cm and hand-crafted into smoother sizes by sanding, filing, and etching. The smoother, smaller bamboo straws are cleaned by pressurized water and left to dry in the sun for a week. Finally, they are checked, sorted, and packed.
Are chemicals used when making bamboo straws?
No chemicals are used when making bamboo straws, making it the best choice compared to plastic and paper straws. Paper versions come with additional chemicals added, while plastic straws are known for carcinogens that pose health risks.
Overall, bamboo straws are a healthier option as they usually do not have any chemicals added. However, it would help if you bought them from a reputable seller to ensure they are chemical or fungicide-free.
How do you take care of bamboo straws?
You can shake the bamboo straws in a jar of warm soapy water or rinse them out under the tap after every use. Every month, boil a pot of mixed vinegar water where you can soak the straws. Be sure to soak them for a few minutes for a thorough clean.
Always try to allow the bamboo straws to completely dry.
Additionally, avoid drying them in a stand-up position. Instead, dry the straws flat or on an angle to ensure no water is collected at the bottom. Look for a well-ventilated place and store them. Never store them in an air-tight jar or container this may make them susceptible to bacteria growth.
How much do bamboo straws cost?
Online shops like Amazon have a wide variety of bamboo straws available for purchase. Generally speaking, you can buy them in bulk for $0.10 to $1.00 depending on the number purchased and the brand.
Why are bamboo straws good?
Lots of people these days–especially those who are environmentally conscious–have started switching to bamboo straws. That is because of their many benefits to the environment versus traditional versions.
Bamboo straws are a fantastic alternative to plastic or paper straws. They are not only convenient and stylish, but they are also sustainable. Due to bamboo’s quick-growing nature (some popular varieties can regrow in less than 2 years), they make a perfect material for frequently used products.
They do not pollute our environment, unlike single-use plastic straws. Since they are 100% natural, you also don’t have to worry about possible impacts on your health.
Bamboo straws are also ideal gift items. They’re cheap, have cool aesthetics, and are great for the environment.
You can also personalize them for cafes, bars, events, weddings, and more. Additionally, these types of straws are naturally antibacterial. They are also anti-fungal, which makes them less susceptible to mold.
Lastly, these straws are travel-friendly. They can be at the top of the packing list without breaking easily in your luggage. Besides, they are lightweight and can fit in between objects in bags. Some people also purchase a cleaning brush (usually made with bristles) to be a little extra careful in between uses.
Are bamboo straws good for the environment and sustainable?
Yes, they are good for the environment. They are completely eco-friendly and sustainable. Since bamboo straws are easily biodegradable, they help reduce the heavy environmental cost of single-use plastic straws.
Mind that bamboo is the fastest-growing plant, so it’s no doubt it’s a sustainable material. The fact that no chemicals or fertilizers are necessary for harvesting the bamboo, in most cases, is more proof the straws are good for the environment. In other words, natural cultivation is involved and won’t harm our environment.
Can bamboo straws go in the dishwasher?
Yes, you can put your bamboo straw in the dishwasher. You can wash these straws and reuse them over and over again. You can slip them inside the dishwasher along with cutlery without any issue.
On the other hand, ensure to turn off the dishwasher’s hot and dry function. Just let the straws air and dry naturally if you have the option. If you want to ensure you are cleaning the straws properly using a dishwasher, you can refer to the product’s care guide.
Are bamboo straws biodegradable/compostable?
Yes, bamboo straws are compostable. These straws are made from real bamboo stalks that are reusable, making them eco-friendly. When the damage caused by single-use plastic straws to the coastline is compared to what happens when the bamboo straws have reached their lifespan, it’s no question that plastic delivers much harsher effects on the environment.
One of the best things about bamboo straws is that you can toss them on the compost heap after you are done using them completely. They’ll break down and compose in a matter of months after that.
Are bamboo straws hygienic?
Yes, bamboo straws are hygienic. In addition to being environmentally friendly and chemical-free, these straws are less likely to harbor harmful bacteria. They are also easy to clean. So, you can keep them hygienic at all times.
Bamboo comes with natural bacteria-fighting properties. Meaning, bamboo straws can repel mold, fungus, and bacteria.
Are bamboo straws recyclable?
No, bamboo straws are not recyclable. Instead, they are compostable. After they reach their end of life, you need to dispose of them properly. You can do this by breaking them up so that you can use them as soil fertilizers.
Bamboo straws will biodegrade safely and will not harm the plants and wildlife. They will go back to where they belong – to the earth. If you really need to, you can also dispose of them with general waste, where they should decompose properly in a landfill.
Are bamboo straws reusable?
The answer is yes! Bamboo straws are known for their reusable quality. With products like these, our society can move one step closer to ending the ‘throw-away culture’ we’ve become so accustomed to.
The continuous damage to the environment caused by single-use products such as plastic straws made reusable straws more essential than ever. After you use bamboo straws, you can simply clean them and use them again and again for years.
Since bamboos are made from natural material, they will not last as long as metal straws. However, they are not designed to be used only once and thrown away either.
Since each bamboo straw can be used hundreds of times, they’re much more economical than plastic ones.
Are bamboo straws safe?
Yes, bamboo straws are safe to use. The material is entirely natural and grows without the help of pesticides, fertilizers, or chemicals.
During the manufacturing process, the bamboo plant is steam cleaned at one point. They’re then pressure washed to ensure all possible contaminants are destroyed.
Unlike metal straws, their bamboo counterparts don’t conduct heat from hot beverages–so they won’t burn your mouth. On the flipside, you won’t jump in fright from sipping on an ice-cold metal straw in a milkshake.
Lastly, they don’t tend to affect the temperature of any drink they’re placed in, as minor of an issue as that is.
Are metal or bamboo straws better?
Some people prefer the aesthetics of a metal drinking straw. However, I personally prefer to natural ‘Bali’ look of bamboo myself. As noted above, bamboo straws aren’t really affected by temperature–which is a huge bonus compared to steaming hot metal straw.
They are also a great option if you have an allergy to metal.
Metal straws are a trendy alternative to the plastic option. The advantage of this kind of straw is that it lasts longer and is reusable. However, the way metal straws are made is the problem. The energy utilized to make a single metal straw is almost equivalent to making 90 plastic straws. The process is also 150 times the carbon dioxide output.
Bamboo straws are becoming a really popular alternative for a few reasons. They are renewable since bamboo trees grow in no time. The varieties of bamboo used to create these reach their full adult size in 2-5 years.
If you really want to go a layer deeper, you can compare plastic and metal straws to the source material of bamboo. Counting the oxygen output and carbon dioxide absorbed by the bamboo forests, the positive environmental impact of bamboo straws quickly adds up.
Bamboo is definitely the way to go if you want a drinking straw with less impact on the environment,
Can you use bamboo straws for hot drinks?
Yes, bamboo straws are used for hot drinks. Almost all varieties should be completely fine resting inside a hot cup of liquid.
Besides hot beverages, you can use them with iced coffees, shakes, juice, and sodas. They’ll give you a nice tropical feel in every sip.
In case some drinks have a particularly strong flavor and you find it is slowly absorbed into the straw, just use a cleaning brush to scrub the straw’s interior and soak in hot water or vinegar water.
How much does it cost to make bamboo straws?
The cost of making bamboo straws will depend on where and how you can order appropriate stalks to use. Many garden stores will carry varieties although you may have to actually grow the tree first–oops.
Otherwise, online stores like Amazon should have pre-treated material you can order and play around with.
The good news is bamboo materials are very affordable since the source plants grow so quickly compared to other types of wood.
How to make a straw from bamboo?
Bamboo is an excellent material for making straws. Not only that, the process of how straws are made from bamboo is pretty straightforward.
You’ll need a bamboo cane, a pencil, a ruler, sandpaper, scissors, a handsaw, a drill, and a metal rod.
Step 1: Measure
Get the bamboo cane and measure about 15 centimeters. Use the pencil to mark it and carefully cut the cane using a handsaw.
Step 2: Drill
Go through the bamboo’s center on both sides to remove the inner pith with the drill. Use a metal rod to remove any excess by going back through.
Step 3: Sanding
Using coarse sandpaper, sand the cane until smooth or the green bamboo and rough edges are removed. For a nicer finish, you can make use of fine sandpaper.
Step 4: Detoxify
In boiling water, detoxify the bamboo by cooking and changing the water 2-3 times. To know it’s finally done, just make sure the water is completely clear after the final boil.
Step 5: Dry
Let the bamboo straw dry naturally sitting in the open air. You can apply a little coconut oil to finish the straw and make it last longer and give it a slight finish.
Wrapup
I hope this answered most of your questions about bamboo straws. They’re definitely an amazing alternative to traditional single-use plastic straws. Better for the environment, cheap, and they look pretty cool too!
If any of your questions weren’t on the list, please feel free to leave a comment below. We love hearing feedback from all our readers.
For information on other eco-friendly bamboo products, check out our bamboo toothbrush FAQ and our bamboo pillow FAQ.