Counteracting Plastic Straws by Using Plant Fibers

According to the United Nations, ocean plastics kill an estimated 100,000 marine mammals annually—and straws are much to blame. Already, the state of California along with the big coffee chain Starbucks are gearing towards banning straws in the near future. Now, a Taiwanese startup is hoping to counteract plastic straw usage by using plants!

More specifically, the Taiwanese developers have made straws using plant fibers. So, when these “plant straws” reach the oceans by accident—the algae eating marine species will be able to eat and digest the fibers. Thus, these plant straws will help reduce ocean pollution and protect the marine mammals.