Glass drinking straws are an innovation for sustainability. If you’re thinking of switching then read on, below we outline the pros and cons of these reusable straws and review the top 5 brands.
Eco-friendly, environmentally responsible individuals have a plethora of choices when it comes to converting to reusable straws.
Choice is always a good thing when it is coupled with knowledge of reusable products.
This is especially true in families where certain family members naturally prefer glass straws, while others may prefer stainless steel, bamboo or silicone.
What to do?
The answer is simple.
Purchase a variety of reusable straws and let family members choose their favourites.
Inevitably, one choice will be glass drinking straws.
Why Should I Move to Glass Straws?
Glass is a natural material that originates from silica. Silica is commonly known as silicon dioxide, found in quartz and organic organisms.
If you want to leave a more responsible ecological footprint for a sustainable future, it is important to take necessary steps toward the purchase of as many reusable items as possible.
The ecological footprint is a measurement of our human demand on nature.
For example, the volume and quantity we demand from nature to support and sustain food, water and other natural resources as well as cleaner, safer air and soil.
An ecological footprint is tracked by measuring the quantity of nature it takes to support people.
It tracks this demand through an ecological accounting system.
The UK ecological accounting system is described as information provided to identify management of decision-making, control and performance appraisal on a regional and organisational basis.
The basic ecological concepts include values and measurements in relation to economic standards.
How are Glass Straws Better Than Plastic?
Plastic straws are made from chemicals that, over time, break down and are the cause of illness.
They are inorganic compounds that do not break down in landfills.
When they are used in such volume for drinks, disposal of plastic straws add to the amount of waste that is not recyclable.
Glass straws are better than plastic because they are made from a natural, organic compounds.
They do not leach inorganic chemicals into the environment nor into beverages as they wear.
Pros and Cons Versus Other Reusable Alternatives
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Useful with hot and cold drinks
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Subject to breakage
- lightly higher cost than stainless steel, bamboo or silicone
In the UK, one brand of glass straws has the most unique style.
It is known as the “mood changing” reusable glass straw.
It doesn’t get more fun than sipping from a mood changing reusable glass straw than this british product. Adults and children love it.
Top 5 Brands With Short Reviews
The top five brands of reusable glass drinking straws sold in the UK include:
- Melliex
- Mixiao
- StrawGrace
- Aolvo
- Nord
Melliex Glass Straws
Melliex reusable glass drinking straws are sold in several sizes and made of boro silicate, a heat-resistant glass material with high stability and is eco-friendly.
Melliex reusable straws are available in sets of four with four straight and four flexible straws in each pack.
Two cleaning brushes are included.
These are also dishwasher safe.
Nine customers who reviewed Melliex straws rated them 4.4 out of 5 stars overall. 86 percent of the nine who purchased them rated them 5 stars.
Several customer comments included the safe, rounded edges of each straw and ability to see residue inside straws easily.
Others liked that these straws could be used for outdoors, parties and with drinks like smoothies, milk, tea, coffee and fruit juices.
One customer noted they are also convenient for office use and travel.
Mixiaa Glass Straws
Mixiao offers glass straws in packs of six in transparent and coloured glass.
They come in several sizes such as short glass straws and tall glass straws to accommodate four ounce up to 36 ounce beverage glasses.
In 65 customer reviews, Mixiao glass straws were rated five stars for excellent quality.
One customer commented about concerns about breakage but realized after six months these glass straws were not chipped even when dropped.
Other customers chose Mixiao straws because they are easy to clean. 88 percent of customers who reviewed these straws gave them five stars.
StrawGrace Glass Straws
Leave it to StrawGrace to set their glass straws apart from other bands with ingenuity.
StrawGrace glass straws are available in sets of five with flexible tips colored in blue, red, yellow, pale green and dark green.
In 298 customer reviews, these glass straws received a five star rating with 94% of the customers rating them five stars.
Customers commented that they liked the convenience of these straws being dishwasher friendly and easy to maintain.
One customer called them “brilliant.”
Aolvo Glass Straws
Aolvo reusable glass straws are available in flexible and straight designs.
They are heat resistant borosilicate, which is eco-friendly.
They are easy to clean with two brushes included.
These straws are also sold with a carrying case for travel and to protect the straws when not in use.
They are designed with a flat tip for safety.
Five customers reviewed the product and rated these straws five stars which represents 77 percent of the five customers.
One customer stated a preference for glass straws rather than paper straws. Other customer comments included a preference for the variety of sizes.
Nord Glass Straws
For the economy conscious, Nord glass straws are sold in packs of ten.
However, these are available in straight straw design only.
The 8MM diameter of each straw makes them suitable for hot and cold drinks such as coffee and iced tea, as well as cocktails, fruit juices, smoothies and milkshakes.
In reviews three customers of Nord glass straws rated them five stars.
One customer commented that they liked the “sophisticated colors” while the other two customers commented on the flawless design and how easy these straws are to clean and maintain.
Conclusion
One important note to consider is that it appears that customers in the UK have adapted far more readily, quickly and considerably to the use of reusable straws than elsewhere internationally.
Many in the UK who purchased glass straws had also used other types of reusable straws.
With such customer versatility in their choices of reusable straws, it would be advisable for those outside the UK to purchase several types before deciding which is their favorite.
Switching to glass straws will ultimately aid a safer, healthier, more sustainable environment.
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