This seems like a good idea!
The usage of plastic straws has been reduced worldwide because of its harmful effect on marine life. In fact, some eateries have completely forgone the use of plastic straws in an effort to preserve the environment. Therefore, people and eateries have resorted to using other straw alternatives – like metal and paper straws – as a substitute for plastic straws. Good on them!
Much more recently, Mothership shared that a young Vietnamese innovator has developed another type of straw that is environmental-friendly. Tran Minh Tien makes these bio-degradable straws from a specific kind of grass which he gets from Mekong Delta’s fields.
The Lepironia articulata (aka grey sedge) grows wild in Vietnam’s wetlands. They are usually long and have a hollow stem as shown in the picture below:
Source: mothership
Before they are turned into straws, they are first washed thoroughly and then cut into 20cm tubes. After that, the insides of the “hollow tubes of grass” are cleaned using a metal rod. Following that, the grass straws are washed again, then packed into bundles using banana leaves.
Source: mothership
FYI, these grass straws are processed by Ong Hut Co which is Tran’s company and they come in two versions – fresh and dry. The difference between the two types of grass straws is their durability.
The freshly cut, unused grass straws can last up until two weeks if they’re stored in the refrigerator; if kept in room temperature, they can last for a week. On the other hand, dry straws can be stored in the refrigerator and it will last up to six months. Granted if they’re unused!
Freshly cut grass straws | source: mothership
Dried grass straws | source: mothership
Even though both these types of grass straws are meant for single-use only in eateries, Tran encourages people who buy them for personal use to reuse the straws.
You can watch how they process grass straws here:
The grass is greener when it becomes a straw
A Vietnamese youth is making biodegradable straws with grass that grows wild in the Mekong Delta. https://bit.ly/2I1nF0T
Posted by VnExpress International on Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Source: Facebook
Unfortunately, these chemical and preservatives-free straws are not available in Malaysia as they only ship within Vietnam. Let’s hope they bring it here soon!
What do you think of these grass straws? Would you be willing to try them? Share your opinion with us in the comments below!
Also read: Ditching Plastic Straws? Try These 6 Alternatives That Are More Eco-Friendly!
