Thimo Groffen News Today

Paper straws are not quite the eco solution many had hoped for.

Considering Americans use 170 million or more straws daily, the issue won’t go away soon.

It's the great debate, paper or plastic. But in this case, it might not be a debate at all. Paper straws are billed as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to plastic, but experts say that may be misleading.

Considering Americans use 170 million or more straws daily, the issue won’t go away soon.

Belgian researchers found that 18 out of 20 brands of paper straws contained long-lasting chemicals that can cause damaging health issues.

Single use plastic has long been vilified, prompting beverage makers to swap out plastic straws for paper alternatives. But fresh research warns paper straws in Europe contain ‘forever chemicals’, and that using such straws potentially contributes to human and environmental exposure of PFAS.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is investigating whether paper straws contain the harmful chemical PFAS, what levels are present, and whether these levels pose a risk to public health. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed this following a report by EenVandaag.

Tired of getting little bits of paper in your mouth when enjoying a drink, there may be some good news. Paper straws may be worse environmentally than plastic.

Tired of getting little bits of paper in your mouth when enjoying a drink, there may be some good news. Paper straws may be worse environmentally than plastic.

Tired of getting little bits of paper in your mouth when enjoying a drink, there may be some good news. Paper straws may be worse environmentally than plastic.