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You could bring your own steel straws instead of plastic. There are those who bring their own cutlery as well. Due to growing demand, people are innovating in

You could bring your own steel straws instead of plastic. There are those who bring their own cutlery as well. Due to growing demand, people are innovating in this space and are covering aspects such as reuse, sturdiness, ability to clean, storage, aesthetics.

mattst88 6y ago
I thought metal straws were a fine idea until I heard about the failure mode: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/world/europe/metal-straws-death.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/world/europe/metal-straws...
- bastawhiz 6y ago
  Is there truly a risk here? The article opens with a discussion of a person predisposed to falls falling while holding a sufficiently sharp straw. The same could have happened with a knife or a pair of scissors or a fork. Hell, it could have happened with a sufficiently stiff plastic straw or bamboo straw—even a bubble tea straw. The Starbucks recall the article mentions relates to a product defect unrelated to the above incident. The same recall could have been issued for _any_ utensil, thermos, or other durable item that Starbucks sells. The article also cites dental risks, and almost parodies itself: “Just like we tell people not to chew on pens.” Well, yeah. I could also chew on my silverware and I'm certain my dentist would disapprove. The note about failing to clean the straws is probably the biggest risk to the average consumer, but the same risk exists with literally any reusable utensil or cup. That article feels like it's trying hard to fish for a reason to be concerned about metal straws.
PurpleFoxy 6y ago
I think the thing is if you remembered to bring your own straws you would just bring your own drink. That’s not really a bad thing either. I recently purchased a small backpack large enough for just my drink bottle at a sports store which makes it very convenient to bring water everywhere. Better for my health, wallet and the environment but it is more effort than leaving care free and grabbing a drink later.
- Pfhreak 6y ago
  > I think the thing is if you remembered to bring your own straws you would just bring your own drink. Unless getting the drink was the point (e.g. going out for a milkshake or Starbucks). Or you didn't want to haul a big ol' drink around.
perardi 6y ago
My new local coffee shop is package-free. No disposable cups, no straws, no lids. They have mugs to use if you’re outside drinking coffee, but they encourage you to bring or buy a reusable thermos. Which requires a very slight bit of adaptation, because you have to remember to bring your own mug, but you get used to it. (Helps that they ran a “buy a thermos, get 4 free coffes” deal.) I could easily get used to it at other take-out places.

mattst88 6y ago

I thought metal straws were a fine idea until I heard about the failure mode: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/world/europe/metal-straws-death.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/world/europe/metal-straws...

bastawhiz 6y ago
Is there truly a risk here? The article opens with a discussion of a person predisposed to falls falling while holding a sufficiently sharp straw. The same could have happened with a knife or a pair of scissors or a fork. Hell, it could have happened with a sufficiently stiff plastic straw or bamboo straw—even a bubble tea straw. The Starbucks recall the article mentions relates to a product defect unrelated to the above incident. The same recall could have been issued for _any_ utensil, thermos, or other durable item that Starbucks sells. The article also cites dental risks, and almost parodies itself: “Just like we tell people not to chew on pens.” Well, yeah. I could also chew on my silverware and I'm certain my dentist would disapprove. The note about failing to clean the straws is probably the biggest risk to the average consumer, but the same risk exists with literally any reusable utensil or cup. That article feels like it's trying hard to fish for a reason to be concerned about metal straws.

PurpleFoxy 6y ago

I think the thing is if you remembered to bring your own straws you would just bring your own drink. That’s not really a bad thing either. I recently purchased a small backpack large enough for just my drink bottle at a sports store which makes it very convenient to bring water everywhere. Better for my health, wallet and the environment but it is more effort than leaving care free and grabbing a drink later.

Pfhreak 6y ago
> I think the thing is if you remembered to bring your own straws you would just bring your own drink. Unless getting the drink was the point (e.g. going out for a milkshake or Starbucks). Or you didn't want to haul a big ol' drink around.

perardi 6y ago

My new local coffee shop is package-free. No disposable cups, no straws, no lids. They have mugs to use if you’re outside drinking coffee, but they encourage you to bring or buy a reusable thermos. Which requires a very slight bit of adaptation, because you have to remember to bring your own mug, but you get used to it. (Helps that they ran a “buy a thermos, get 4 free coffes” deal.) I could easily get used to it at other take-out places.