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Oggoldy's avatar

I've never been to a place that had disposable wooden utensils, but I have used the paper straws. Honestly, they're terrible and don't last for meal, at all. The technology is advancing though, and eventually the nonplastic straws' technology will advance to the point to make them financially viable and functional. They're not there yet though, unfortunately.

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RainDog2's avatar

Yeah, any paper straw I've encountered disintegrated in the drink, in my mouth, or both. Would rather go without.

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Mike in MD's avatar

Paper straws are OK for drinks that you consume fast, but not always if it's larger or going to take a while. And for a frozen Slurpee/Slush Puppy type drink, forget it.

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PassionateJus's avatar

I've used paper straws for years and I've never had that experience. I have no idea what you are talking about.

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dragonfire5004's avatar

The difference between experiences regarding paper straws is probably тАЬtime used to finish drinkтАЭ and тАЬwhat drink I used the paper straw inтАЭ. We donтАЩt have plastic straws anywhere, so IтАЩve used paper straws for years now on almost any drink (except hot ones, so again go back to point two if thatтАЩs the caseтАЭ). I can honestly say youтАЩre both right.

If you drink the drink quickly, thereтАЩs never any problems with a paper straw. However, if you want to save some for later or forget about it and come back to it, the straw has likely disintegrated or unwound and is completely unusable. I donтАЩt drink hot drinks and every time IтАЩve seen one, IтАЩve never seen any straw for it, so if you did that, maybe it could have disintegrated in the drink? Because I doubt any business would do so.

By now though everyone around me is used to the change and doesnтАЩt think much of it. I will say though, that thereтАЩs a very big debate right now over whether itтАЩs actually environmentally better or not. More research is needed for sure.

Plastic bag replacement on the other hand with paper though was a much more successful action in limiting waste.

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RainDog2's avatar

I think it's also that I have a tendency to chew on the straw a little bit. I mean sure I could try not to do that, but I'd rather just not use a straw.

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