We look at the best, most popular
reusable drinking straws available in the UK and assess the difference between
silicone straws, metal straws, bamboo straws and glass straws. Which are the
best reusable straws for kids, for smoothies, or hot drinks? We have the
answers…
Single-use plastic drinking straws have long been one of the
signifiers of our plastic pollution problem. While straws are not always
essential, they are good at protecting our teeth, they’re great for kids and,
historically, they’ve been cheap and ultra-convenient so we’ve got used to
using them. But then we’d chuck them away without any thought as to how they’d
affect the planet.
Since single-use plastic straws were banned, the market for
reusable drinking straws has grown massively. So which are the best, most
sustainable drinking straws that we can now buy? And do we go for silicone,
glass, bamboo or stainless steel? We give you the reusable drinking straw
lowdown.
Why use silicone drinking straws?
Reusable silicone straw pros
- Best for kids and anyone who chews their straws!
- Good for hot and cold drinks (they don’t absorb heat)
- Long lasting
- Most are dishwashable
- Feels the nicest on your mouth
- Affordable
- Colourful
Reusable silicone straw cons
Best reusable silicone drinking straw
Joie Rainbow Reusable Silicone Straws have been the affordable consumer favourites for a while and are championed by Mumsnet as being the best for kids. They’re widely available and you can
check them out on Amazon.
Although Joie should do away
with the plastic in their packaging. A popular, but more costly, alternative
that comes in plastic-free packaging is Softy Straws, which come in
slim or big size.
Why use metal drinking straws?
Reusable stainless steel straw pros
- The most durable
- Will last a lifetime
- Dishwashable
Reusable stainless steel straw cons
- Can leave a metallic taste in your mouth
- Conducts heat, so no good for hot drinks
- Not great for kids, anyone who chews their straws or has sensitive teeth
Best reusable stainless steel drinking straw
There are loads of metal drinking straws
on the market, and it’s best to go for a good food grade stainless steel
for the most hygienic option. Sometimes, when there’s so much choice, you just
want to go for the reliable brand you’ve trusted for years. So thanks heavens
for
Salter and their 18/8 grade stainless steel straws, which come in a little
cotton and linen bag.
Why use glass drinking straws?
Reusable glass drinking straw pros
- Borosilicate glass straws are durable
- OK for hot and cold drinks (but still heat up)
- Don’t leave a taste in your mouth
- Stylish
- You can see when they’re dirty!
- Dishwashable
Reusable glass drinking straw cons
- No good for kids, or anyone who chews their straws
- Break more easily than silicone and stainless steel
- Thicker glass straws can feel a bit weird in your mouth
Best reusable glass drinking straws
The multicoloured borosilicate
glass drinking straws from Kikkerland are fab and
are a popular choice in most good consumer lists. You can grab a pack for
around £10 from Oliver Bonas (and they come in recyclable packaging).
Why use bamboo drinking straws?
Reusable bamboo drinking straw pros
- Plant-based and completely biodegradable
- Good for hot and cold drinks
- Naturally antibacterial
Reusable bamboo drinking straw cons
- Not always dishwashable
- Can deteriorate over time
- Can feel woody on the mouth
Best reusable bamboo drinking straws
100% organic and responsibly
sourced, Jungle Straws are the bamboo drinking straw of choice. These
handcrafted, super eco-friendly beauties boast that they’re tasteless,
odourless and strong - completely dishwashable. But we’d say to keep them out
of the dishwasher if you want them to last longer. And when they do wear out -
you can just check them on the compost heap. There’s zero plastic in the
packaging, and they come in a natty little hessian bag. You can buy them direct
from the Jungle Straws website where you can also read their whole story.
Collapsible straws
& silicon tips
So you like a stainless steel straw, but don’t like the feel
of them or want to use them in hot drinks as well? As if they’ve read our pros
and cons, Kynup has magicked up a fab solution, and then added the bonus
feature of making their product collapsible.
These popular reusable stainless steel straws come with a
little silicone tip that you pop on the drinking end so if your drink is hot
your straw won’t be. Also great if you prefer the silicone sipping experience
to the metal one. The bonus is that they’re collapsible so a lot more
convenient if you’re out and about lots and want to pop your own straw into
takeaway drinks.
They’re available to buy on Amazon
Extra wide straws for
smoothies
Most of the above reusable drinking straws may be too slim
to slurp up a nice thick smoothie. Luckily, ecoLiving have come up with a wider version of their stainless steel straws. So, at 8mm wide, this is the
sustainable way to suck up your thicker drinks
