The 5 Best Disposable Straws

Disposable straws have gotten a seriously bad rap in recent history, and for good reason: single use plastics are clogging our world. If you're addicted to straws, however, you don't have to give up a good thing...there are environmentally-friendlier disposable straws. Typically made from paper and even straw, many disposable straws can be totally biodegradable and compostable. While there are a few disposable, biodegradable straws out there that barely make it through one drink, there are some newer ones on the market that definitely work as well as plastic straws. These 5 disposable straws are our personal faves.

Plasticless Plant-Based Compostable Straws

Better Than The Real Deal

These disposable straws will have you thinking they're plastic...when actually, they're 100% plant based and compostable. Durable and flexible, you don't have to go without the convenience of a straw just because you're swearing off plastic.

Best Overall

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If you just really prefer plastic, flexible drinking straws, you might think you’re out of luck when it comes to finding a comparable product. Good news: you’re not. These 100% plant-based and compostable straws are completely free of plastic, yet feature much of the same favorite features of their plastic counterparts. Mainly, they’re durable, bendy, and totally convenient.

The convenience of the plastic straw goes beyond just not wanting to tip a glass up to drink. For someone who is bedridden, a flexible, bendy straw is a must. However, many disposable straws completely disintegrate before the drink is finished, leaving plastic straws as the only option for those that need one. These straws won’t fall apart or become too soggy to work, however. And what’s more, they contain none of the harmful substances found in plastic, so not only are these straws better for the environment, they’re better for you, too.

Pros:

Designed like a plastic, flexible-necked straw with with 100% plant-based materials.
Compostable.
Comes in a package of 200.

Cons:

Not for hot beverages.

Comfy Package Paper Drinking Straws

Colorful and Bright

These pretty paper straws won't get soggy and fall apart on you...drink after drink, you can enjoy the fun of a straw without the guilt of plastic.

Runner-Up

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Looking for a fun, funky way to dress up your drinks? These striped paper straws are a delight for any occasion. Made from ec0-friendly BPA-free paper and food-safe ink, you can feel good using these straws knowing you’re putting nothing harmful into the environment or your body. Although paper straws do tend to become a bit soggy with prolonged use, these straws are made of thick, multiple layers of paper that hold up well for casual sipping.

The straws are 7.7 inches long–excellent for parties, BBQs, or even just for your own enjoyment at home. The packaging of these disposable straws are also environmentally conscious; these come in their own paper box, which can be recycled when you’re done storing you’re straws.

Pros:

Thick paper straw that does not disintegrate quickly (but by design, will eventually…which is also what helps to make them environmentally friendly!).
Fun and bright colors.
One straw can be used with multiple drinks throughout the day.

Cons:

These straws are just under 8 inches long…a bit short for those taller drinks.

Naturalik Dye-Free Biodegradable Paper Straws

Completely Dye-Free

If you're looking for a paper straw that is free from dye, these paper straws are your best bet.

Best Dye-Free Straws

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Although many dyes used in straws are food-safe, if you’re aiming to stay completely free of dye, these brown paper straws are your best bet. Made without toxins, these durable, disposable straws are eco-friendly and won’t fall apart on you, either. What’s more, the paper that’s used to make these straws? It comes from forests that comply with rigorous environmental and social standards.

These straws are strong enough to use with smoothies, mixed drinks, ice water, and whatever else you have in mind (although, they aren’t ideal for hot drinks). They are nearly 8 inches tall, and come in three different size counts: 300 count, 1,000 count, and 500 count cocktail size straw.

Pros:

Totally biodegradable and compostable material.
FSC certified.

Cons:

Like many disposable straws, these ones are also less than 8 inches tall, which isn’t ideal for those taller drinks.

Hay! Straws Natural Cocktail Drinking Straws

Hay you! Try These.

These straws are the perfect cocktail straw...the right size, durable, and fun to drink from. Hay, you can't go wrong here.

Best Cocktail Straws

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Disposable straws these days are being made from anything and everything you can imagine…such as these guys, made from yes, you guessed it, hay. Made from non-GMO and minimally processed wheat stems, these hay straws are 100% biodegradable. In fact, you can even compost them in your own home compost.

So what’s the benefit of hay over paper? Well, paper straws must go through a pulping process that often means added chemicals or dyes. These straws are made from harvested stalks which are cut to length, and then sterilized in a sterile water three times to remove any dirt or bacteria that could be present. This means that these straws are totally safe—for you, and for the environment. Because they’re made completely from a naturally biodegradable product, hay, they can be composted easily. And for kids who are reluctant to switch from their beloved bendy-neck straws, what is more fun than drinking from a piece of hay?

Pros:

Tested as being gluten-free.
No dyes or toxic chemicals.
Completely compostable.

Cons:

Small container of only 100 straws.
Best for cocktails, as they’re only 5″ tall.

Sangabery 250-Pack Biodegradable Paper Straws

Here for the Party

These disposable straws are as colorful as they are convenient...and excellent for serving up drinks at a party.

Best for Large Parties

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If you’re planning up a party and straws are a necessity, these multi-colored, fun disposable straws are clear winners. Made from FDA-approved paper material and with food-grade ink, you can feel good knowing you’re using products that are safer for the earth and safer for your body. The paper is thick and high-quality, so they won’t fall apart after just a few sips as many disposable straws are known for.

While these do only come in a 250-count package, the reason why they’re so wonderful for parties or larger events? The multiple colors and designs in each package. These straws can be used for decorations, desert or food trays, as part of party favors, and of course, drinks.

Pros:

Package contains 10 different colors and designs.
Bright, funky straws made with dye that is food-grade.

Cons:

Only for use in drinks below 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything that’s too hot will quickly disintegrate the paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are disposable straws environmentally friendly?

Disposable straws can absolutely be environmentally friendly. No, plastic straws are not (and what’s more? They’re not even friendly for your body, as plastic contains BPA and other toxins). But there are plenty of other types of disposable straws (just look at the list above) that are almost completely friendly to the environment. And many can be compostable and/or recyclable. If you’re trying to be more earth-conscious, you just have to do your research and figure out what the best option is for your goals.

Can you use disposable straws in hot drinks?

It’s not recommended to use disposable straws in hot drinks, whether plastic or an alternative type of straw. With plastic, heat causes chemicals to leach into your drink, or even melt the straw. With alternative straws, heat can cause the straw to become soggy and break down quickly. There are non-plastic stirring straws for hot beverages, but otherwise, disposable straws are all better used with cooler drinks.