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An Environmental and Cost Comparison Between Polypropylene Plastic Drinking Straws and a "Greener" Alternative: An Oberlin Case Study
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This paper compares the environmental impact and cost of plastic versus paper drinking straws, finding that plastic straws are one of the most commonly littered items that harm marine ecosystems. The analysis supports policy arguments for reducing single-use plastic straw consumption.
Plastic straws are one of the most abundant items found in oceans and coastal cleanups around the United States and internationally.Plastic does not decompose over time, so all the plastic we have ever made is still around, affecting every ecosystem on the planet.Drinking straws are made of 100% recyclable material, but because of their small size most recycling plants are not able to process them so they are sent to landfills.Petroleum-based plastic production is also a large source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making up 1-3% of the United States' carbon emissions alone.By considering green alternatives to PP drinking straws, we can see if there actually are affordable alternatives that can help reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions.This case study focuses on the Feve, a restaurant in the City of Oberlin, and aims to understand the cultural significance of drinking straws in town, and uses that information to suggest ways of changing straw distribution behavior and minimize plastic waste.This study also compares the environmental and financial costs of the Feve using petroleum-based polypropylene (PP) drinking straws versus "greener" alternatives by constructing a modified life cycle analysis to determine if switching to biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) plastic drinking straws decreases the Feve's carbon and plastic waste footprint.By tracing GHG emissions created in the production of plastic resins, transportation of materials and products, and disposal of plastic straws, I compare the carbon footprint of three products to see if one is better for the environment than the others.I hope this study can be used as a model to help other restaurants make plans to reduce their plastic waste and carbon footprint at an affordable cost.
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Plasticless: a Comparative Life-cycle, Socio-economic, and Policy Analysis of Alternatives to Plastic Straws
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A life-cycle analysis compared ten types of drinking straws, finding that while plastic straws have the highest environmental impact, some alternatives like glass and metal require significant energy to produce and clean. This analysis illustrates that no single-use plastic alternative is without environmental trade-offs.
Bio-based alternatives to plastic drinking straws: are they more environmentally benign and consumer preferred?
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This study evaluated bio-based alternatives to conventional plastic drinking straws, assessing the environmental footprint of paper and polylactic acid straws versus plastic and comparing their functional properties including user experience.
Evaluation and future development direction of paper straw and plastic straw
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This review evaluates the environmental trade-offs of replacing plastic straws with paper straws, examining lifecycle impacts, material properties, and waste management outcomes. The authors find that while paper straws reduce persistent plastic pollution, their production and disposal also carry environmental costs, and that neither option is entirely without impact.
Evaluation of Microplastics Environmental Impact from Straws in the US over Time: Scenario Based Semi Quantitative Scaling Emission Approximation Versus Bioresin Alternatives to Polypropylene
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Researchers estimated that plastic drinking straws in the US could produce over 5.5 megatons of microplastics and nanoplastics over 50 years if usage patterns continue. Using existing data, they modeled human exposure from straws made of polypropylene versus plant based alternatives, finding that switching materials could prevent this plastic waste and associated microplastic formation. The study also tested how one alternative material breaks down under industrial composting conditions.
Evaluation of paper straws versus plastic straws: Development of a methodology for testing and understanding challenges for paper straws
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This study developed a methodology for testing the performance of paper straws as alternatives to plastic straws, evaluating their structural integrity, taste neutrality, and environmental impact under realistic use conditions. The work addresses the need for objective evaluation of plastic straw alternatives as regulations drive substitution away from single-use plastics.
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