Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

An Innovative Alternative to Plastic Straws with Bacterial Cellulose

This study developed biodegradable bacterial cellulose as an alternative material for drinking straws, replacing conventional plastic. Bacterial cellulose straws are fully biodegradable, offering a practical solution to reduce the single-use plastic that fragments into microplastics in the environment.

2023 Journal of Student Research
Article Tier 2

A hydrophobic and degradable straw based on the ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose

Researchers developed a hydrophobic and biodegradable straw made from ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose as a microplastic-free alternative to conventional disposable plastic straws. The cellulose-based straw achieved the hydrophobicity needed for beverage use while remaining biodegradable, offering a sustainable substitute that avoids microplastic shedding during use and disposal.

2024
Article Tier 2

All-natural, hydrophobic, strong paper straws based on biodegradable composite coatings

Researchers developed an all-natural paper straw coated with a biodegradable mixture of sodium alginate, cellulose nanofibers, and stearic acid that avoids the microplastic problem of traditional plastic-coated straws. The coating made the straws water-resistant for over three hours while maintaining good strength, and the straws fully biodegraded in soil within about 45 days. The study offers a practical alternative to plastic straws that does not contribute to microplastic pollution during breakdown.

2024 Journal of Cleaner Production 20 citations
Article Tier 2

All-natural, hydrophobic, biodegradable cellulose-based straws through simultaneous esterification and filling with stearic acid for cold beverages

Researchers developed a biodegradable, all-natural straw made from bleached bamboo fibers and stearic acid as an alternative to plastic straws that generate microplastics. The straw achieved strong hydrophobicity, worked well in cold beverages including tea, coffee, and milk, and fully degraded in soil within 50 days. The study offers a promising green alternative that avoids both the microplastic pollution from plastic straws and the chemical additives used in conventional paper straws.

2024 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Ultrastrong, Hydrostable, and Degradable Straws Derived from Microplastic-Free Thermoset Films for Sustainable Development

Researchers developed strong, moisture-stable drinking straws from all-natural thermoset materials derived from plant-based resins, demonstrating that the resulting straws are microplastic-free, fully biodegradable, and mechanically superior to paper straws which collapse in beverages.

2023 ACS Omega 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Edible Straws as Promising Biodegradable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics: A Comprehensive Review

Single-use plastic straws are a small but symbolic part of the microplastics problem, and this review surveys research into edible straws as a biodegradable alternative, covering materials ranging from cassava starch and seaweed to cellulose and proteins. Lab results are promising — cellulose-based versions show good strength, seaweed-based ones biodegrade quickly, and life cycle analyses confirm ecological advantages over plastic — but challenges including high production costs, short shelf life, and lack of regulatory standards are holding back commercial adoption. The review concludes that realizing the potential of edible straws will require coordination across material science, food engineering, and policy.

2026
Article Tier 2

Strong, anti-swelling, and biodegradable seaweed-based straws with surface mineralized CaCO3 armor

Drawing on the structural design of bones and sea urchins, researchers developed seaweed-based drinking straws coated with calcium carbonate that showed strong water resistance and mechanical performance as a plastic-free alternative.

2024 Carbohydrate Polymers 6 citations
Article Tier 2

A Preliminary Evaluation on the Development of Edible Drinking Straw from Guso (Eucheuma cottonii) Seaweeds

Researchers developed edible drinking straws from Guso seaweed (Eucheuma cottonii) with different plasticizer concentrations and evaluated their biodegradability, strength, and water resistance. Replacing single-use plastic straws with edible, biodegradable alternatives reduces the plastic waste that enters aquatic environments and eventually fragments into microplastics.

2023 Proceedings of International Exchange and Innovation Conference on Engineering & Sciences (IEICES) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and adhesive free, multifunctional, circular economy approach-based biomass-derived drinking straws

Researchers developed drinking straws made from rice straw waste that are free of microplastics and adhesives. The study suggests these bio-based straws are water-stable, heat-resistant, antibacterial, and biodegradable, with a dramatically lower carbon footprint than metal or polylactic acid alternatives, turning agricultural waste into a useful consumer product.

2024 iScience 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Bio-based alternatives to plastic drinking straws: are they more environmentally benign and consumer preferred?

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.

2023 Carbon Research 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Drinking Straw from Coconut Leaf: A Study of its Epicuticular Wax Content and Phenol Extrusion Properties

Drinking straws made from coconut leaves were studied as a plastic-free alternative, with testing showing they have natural wax coatings and structural properties suitable for use. The development of sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to plastic straws could help reduce single-use plastic waste.

2019 Asian Journal of Plant Sciences 11 citations
Article Tier 2

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FINAL PROJECTSEA-STRAW (Edible Straw)

This student project developed an edible straw made from natural materials as an alternative to single-use plastic straws. It is a product design project aimed at reducing plastic waste, with no primary research on microplastic pollution.

2019
Article Tier 2

Growing Strong Polysaccharide-Derived Edible Straws with an Inherent Structural Binder via Biomanufacturing

Researchers developed edible straws made from bacterial cellulose and starch using a biomanufacturing approach, as an alternative to plastic straws that contribute to microplastic pollution. The straws demonstrated strong mechanical performance, maintaining their structure in both hot and cold beverages for extended periods. The study suggests that bio-manufactured food-contact materials could help reduce reliance on conventional plastics and the associated microplastic risks.

2025 Nano Letters 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of paper straws versus plastic straws: Development of a methodology for testing and understanding challenges for paper straws

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.

2019 BioResources 45 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating interface adhesion of PLA-coated cellulose paper straws: Degradation, plant growth effects, and life cycle assessment

Researchers developed polylactic acid-coated cellulose paper straws as an alternative to single-use plastic straws and evaluated their environmental impact. The straws decomposed 35-40% within 4 months in soil and compost, though microplastics were detected in surrounding soil and plant tissues. Life cycle assessment showed that the manufacturing improvements reduced the ecological footprint compared to conventional plastic straws, though the release of microplastics during degradation warrants further study.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 15 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review on Edible Straws

This review examines edible straws as a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastic straws, synthesizing research on their material compositions, structural performance, sensory properties, and alignment with global sustainability goals to reduce microplastic accumulation from disposable plastic products.

2025 European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety
Article Tier 2

An ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose based hydrophobic and degradable straw-like materials towards drinking straws

Researchers developed a microplastic-free drinking straw by coating bacterial cellulose with ethyl cellulose, achieving strong mechanical performance (66.82 MPa bending strength), water-repellent surfaces, and complete soil biodegradation within 20 days — outperforming conventional polylactic acid straws on both durability and environmental decomposition.

2025 Carbohydrate Polymers 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable, Water‐Resistant, Anti‐Fizzing, Polyester Nanocellulose Composite Paper Straws

Researchers developed a biodegradable paper straw coated with poly(butylene succinate) and cellulose nanocrystals that resists water absorption and prevents the fizzing typical of conventional paper straws in carbonated drinks. Unlike PLA-coated alternatives, the coating is fully ocean-degradable and the nanocrystals improved coating adhesion.

2022 Advanced Science 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic Cutlery Alternative: Case Study with Biodegradable Spoons

Researchers produced biodegradable spoons from natural materials as an alternative to plastic cutlery, evaluating their texture, antioxidant activity, and polyphenol content to assess feasibility as an environmentally friendly disposable option.

2021 Foods 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of Technology for Obtaining a Biodegradable Polymer

Researchers developed biodegradable polymers made from starch combined with organic acids and plasticizers as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. The resulting bioplastics passed physicochemical tests and are described as ready for mass production.

2023 NNC RK Bulletin 1 citations