Paper straws may have a “greener” image, but a new South Korean study claims they look worse on paper than old-fashioned plastic. A government-commissioned life cycle analysis found that paper straws performed more than six times better than plastic straws in terms of cancer-related environmental impact, and about twice as much in terms of acidification, the report said. Herald of Korea. Polyethylene straws of organic origin fared the worst, with a carcinogenic impact 16 times greater than that of plastic.
Out of 16 categories, conventional plastic straws had the lowest impact in 10, including the climate change and human toxicity categories. Bio-PE tops the 10 hazard categories, while paper and biodegradable plastics top the other categories. The researchers also noted that all types of straws are difficult to recycle and urged cafes, restaurants and other venues to stop handing out disposable straws by default and only provide them upon request.
The lawmaker who unveiled the new research said that instead of an outright ban on plastic straws themselves, he is advocating for a “governmental shift toward substantial reduction policies that completely reduce the use of disposable products,” according to Packaging Insights, which notes that the cited figures “measure potential risks from emissions throughout the manufacturing and disposal chain rather than direct health risks to consumers during everyday use.” THE South China Morning Postmeanwhile, details various regions around the world that have banned single-use plastic straws.
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