Making the choice to move to reusable straws is more than sensible but if you like drinking coffee or other hot drinks through a straw then you might wonder which reusable straws are best for hot drinks.
In this article we cover why making the switch to reusable straws makes a real difference to our environment, which types of straw are more heat friendly and also review our top 5.
Reusable Straws – Why Make the Switch?
There are some great examples of both public and government support for switching to reusable alternatives right here in the UK especially around plastic straws..
As a result of 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds, 316 million plastic stirrers and 4.7 billion plastic straws, in October 2018, the UK’s Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, called for a consultation on the ban of these plastic items and also their distribution and sale.
This product ban is perhaps a little too late however we are hoping one of the outcomes to be a greater and wider ranging effect on public awareness of an enormous problem that impacts sustainability.
In addition to government legislation there have been several high profile initiatives here in the UK.
To show the environmental impact of plastic litter, the Great British Beach Clean was responsible for clean up of 339 beaches littered in plastic waste in 2017.
Over 250,000 pieces of plastic trash was removed from British beaches and 500 pieces were disposable plastic cutlery, straws and trays.
Which Reusable Straws are Best for Hot Drinks
Straws that lend themselves to hot drinks are not all made from the same material.
There are actually several types of reusable straws that you can choose from.
These include:
- Silicone
- Bamboo
- Stainless steel
- Glass
You would think that some of the materials listed above would not be suitable for hot drinks such as stainless steel or glass.
Metals conduct heat much better that some of the other materials such as bamboo but manufactures have come up with some innovative ideas to get around this problem.
With BPA free silicone tips even stainless steel straws can be used with hot drinks.
Of course this gives you a much wider choice.
One point to remember when choosing your straws is that hot drinks can increase wear and tear over straws used for colder type drinks.
During our comparison we’ve noticed that silicone straws seem to be the top choice for hot drinks with stainless steel, glass and bamboo in descending order.
That said bamboo straws are becoming popular. They are biodegradable so we’d expect them to overtake the metal and glass options.
Tip: It is always best to rely on the brand manufacturer’s instructions as a guide.
The Best Reusable Straws for Hot Drinks
We’ve rounded up the top 5 eco friendly straws that are great for use with hot drinks.
Reusable Silicone Straws by ecoLiving
These colourful reusable silicone straws will make your drinks look absolutely amazing. A set of 6 straws comes with an organic cotton carry case and a plant based cleaning brush.
The Straws are made from 100% pure silicone with no plastic fillers. Remember the test for silicone purity is simple – pinch the straw and if you see white it’s got fillers in it.
Pros:
- Adds wonderful colour to your favourite drinks
- Made from 100% pure premium food grade silicone
- Simple to clean
- Child friendly – soft on your teeth
- Great for hot and cold drinks
- Dishwasher safe
- Tall enough for long glasses, cut shorter if required
- Long lasting
- Carry pouch made from GOTS certified organic cotton
- Packaging is fully recyclable
Cons:
- Sometimes silicone has a tendency to pick up the flavour of hot drinks.
Review on greenerlyfe
We’re delighted to be able to offer these silicone reusable straws in our online shop.
To see the full product information click the image below.
Reusable Metal Straws With Case (Set of 5 Bent Straws)
These reusable metal straws with case will make your drinks look amazing. Giving that extra sparkle, this set of 5 straws are made from stainless steel and come with a 100% organic cotton carry pouch and a plastic free cleaning brush.
Pros:
- Adds sparkle to your favourite drinks
- Made from 304 (18/8) food-grade stainless steel
- 100% plastic-free
- Packaging is fully recyclable
- ecoLiving will plant a tree for every pack sold
Cons:
- Tends to conduct heat at higher heat temperatures.
Review on greenerlyfe
We’re delighted to be able to offer these metal reusable straws in our online shop.
To see the full product information click the image below.
Bamboo Drinking Straws – 12 Pack
Add a touch of tropical fun to your fresh drinks.
Being sustainable and zero waste these reusable bamboo drinking straws are a real alternative to plastic straws.
Pack contains 12 bamboo straws, a hessian storage bag, 1 hessian pouch and a cleaning brush.
Pros:
- Perfect for family BBQs, picnics or even a great night in
- Individually hand crafted
- 100% organic, natural and chemical free
- BPA free
- Biodegradable and compostable
- Reusable (hundreds, if not thousands of times)
- Dishwasher proof
Cons:
- The straws won’t last as long as other alternatives such as metal straws
Review on greenerlyfe
We’re delighted to be able to offer these bamboo reusable straws in our online shop.
To see the full product information click the images below.
The Koffee Straw Company
Of the silicone sustainable straws is the fifth and most recent innovative offering, the Koffee Silicone Straw.
It is 100 percent borosilicate silicone.
It is sold in plum, surf, mocha, navy and pink.
What is distinct about this silicone straw is that it is designed to sit behind the teeth and prevent tooth stains from coffee and tea.
These are eight and ten inches in size.
The Koffee Silicone Straws received 4.3 out of five stars in 170 customer reviews.
Pros:
- Koffee Straws are flexible and bendable. They fit into tall glasses or deep mugs.
- They can also be trimmed to a shorter size for hot buttered rum or hot cider.
Cons:
- May begin to break apart after extended use.
JimJim Glass Straws
This sustainable straw is made of durable borosilicate.
It is clear glass and nine inches by 10 mm in size.
It received a rating of 4.6 out of five stars in 981 customer ratings.
It is shatter resistant, dishwasher safe and has a 100 percent money back guarantee.
Pros:
- The JimJiim glass straw doesn’t melt with hot liquids and is thicker in glass density than other glass straws.
- It is suitable for tea, coffee and hot cocoa.
Cons:
- This glass straw, while not necessarily breakable, can be damaged when mishandled.
Conclusion
I hope that by laying out the pros and cons of each type of reusable straw is has been helpful for you to compare products.
Now that you know the five best sustainable straws for hot drinks, the final decision rests with you regarding which you prefer.
