Hemp Straws: The Sustainable Sipping Solution

The straw wars are real! While we care for the environment and understand the devastating effects single-use plastic straws have on the environment, paper straws have their own set of problems. Another solution that can mitigate many of the issues associated with paper straws is hemp straws. Learn about hemp, the differences between hemp and paper straws, and how hemp straws are the way forward for effective and sustainable sipping.

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What is Hemp?

Hemp is often mistaken for marijuana, which contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for its psychotropic properties. While both hemp and marijuana come from the Cannabis Sativa plant, there are significant differences. 

Hemp is a fast-growing, sustainable plant that needs little water or pesticides to thrive. It is widely used for industrial purposes to create everything from paper, rope, eco-friendly textiles and cooking oil to hemp milk, therapeutic CBD, and biofuel, among others. Hemp is a highly fibrous plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, so it is not subject to the same strict regulations as cannabis.

What are Hemp Straws?

Hemp straws are made from the hemp plant through decortication, a process that removes the highly durable fibers to create a hemp-based paper that is stronger, more versatile, sustainable, and chemical-free compared to traditional wood paper. What makes hemp paper a great option for eco-friendly straws is the paper’s tough, fibrous nature, and ability to withstand moisture, allowing the straws to hold up in liquids better than wood-based paper straws.

How Do Paper Straws Fare as an Alternative?

Anyone who has used a paper straw can relate to the frustration users inevitably feel after just a few sips of their favorite drink. What many users might not know, however, is that beyond the inconvenient wilting and sheer annoyance these not-so-great-alternatives to single-use plastic straws bring, they also contain a slew of harmful chemicals.

What Are Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)?

PFAs are a group of chemicals used in polymer, surfactants, and protective coatings manufacturing, such as those used on paper straws to help maintain their structure in liquids. Not only are these chemicals harmful to animal and human health, but as “forever chemicals,” they can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. While the negative environmental impacts associated with plastic straws are undeniable, paper straws actually contain more PFAs than plastic straws.

Paper Straws Cons

• Not durable: they are especially incompatible with hot liquids, dissolving faster.
• Not recyclable: The paper degrades too quickly to recycle, although the chemicals remain to pollute water systems and soil.
• Energy-intensive manufacturing process: Paper and pulp manufacturing takes significant water and chemicals.
• Deforestation: Although manufacturers look to recycled paper where possible, deforestation is still an issue with paper products.
• Funny taste: Paper straws often have a papery taste.

Why Are Hemp Straws the Better Alternative?

The manufacturing of hemp straws starts with the eco-friendly cultivation of the cannabis plant. This highly durable plant is not only incredibly sustainable, but it can be grown in even the most low-fertile soils. It requires little water or maintenance, no toxic pesticides, and can be easily procured with low eco-impact. Once harvested, the hemp is processed into a pulp, which is mixed with natural plant resin that is heated and extruded through tailor-made molds to form biodegradable and compostable hemp straws.

Hemp and the Environment

Hemp is a unique plant that has many uses. Manufacturers use every part of the plant for specific industrial uses, making the plant not only highly sustainable but also incredibly efficient. Hemp is also widely used for soil remediation, a process known as phytoremediation. 

The hemp plant absorbs and stores toxic contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, like lead and cadmium, and radioactive elements, including cesium-137 and strontium-90, without affecting the plant or its end uses. Choosing hemp as an alternative to plastic and paper straws is eco-friendly from cultivation to harvesting and manufacturing, to after-use biodegradability.

Hemp Straws Pros:

• Durable: Hemp’s superior fiber makes hemp straws highly durable and versatile.
• Recyclable: Hemp straws are biodegradable and compostable, leaving no chemical residue.
• Efficient manufacturing process: Less resource-intensive production process using no harsh chemicals.
• Resilient: Hemp straws hold up better at higher temperatures, making them a better hot-beverage solution.
• No taste: Hemp straws have a neutral taste.

Where to Find 100% Hemp Straws

As the world’s only 100% hemp paper producer, Mill26 is widely recognized as a premium hemp paper producer with a large selection of hemp paper products, including their eco-friendly hemp straws, which are coming soon!

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