As the midday temperature began to exceed 30 degrees Celsius, coffee shops also ignited controversy over "paper straws." Critics point out that paper straws introduced for the environment are not very helpful in reality, and recently, paper straws at some coffee shops smelled of gasoline and even recovered straws.
(Picture from Unsplash)
Some brands have developed and introduced a lid (cup lid) that allows drinks without straws, but it is also pointed out that satisfaction is not high.
According to industries on the 2nd, as the government has decided to ban the use of plastic straws in coffee shops starting in November, major coffee shops such as Starbucks, Twosome Place, and Paul Bassett are removing plastic straws from stores and introducing paper straws. In the case of Starbucks, it has been operating paper straws for nearly two years by introducing paper straws in 2020, the fastest in the industry.
Coffee shops have introduced paper straws due to the "green" wind blowing in recent years. In particular, plastic straws emerged as representative of environmental pollution and plastic waste as a documentary showed a straw stuck in a turtle's nose. It was shortly after this that coffee shops introduced paper straws and began to introduce leads to drink without straws.
The problem is that even though paper straws have been introduced for more than two years, they have not completely replaced plastic straws in terms of satisfaction. As in the early days of introduction, issues such as mushy or heavy smell have decreased, but it is still pointed out that paper straws change the taste of drinks.
In a short period of time, many coffee shops are starting to use paper straws instead of plastic straws, and supply problems are also emerging. Recently, Starbucks has been in trouble. As some paper straws were pointed out that they smelled of gasoline, all of the paper straws were collected. As the heat wave came, sales of ice drinks using straws soared, and more than a month after the incident, straws have not been supplied smoothly to stores.
Some criticize that paper straws are not very helpful to the environment. It seems to be recyclable as it is made of paper, but it is difficult to recycle in reality because it is coated to prevent the beverage from seeping and wet. Straws are classified as general waste even when separating them in stores.
An industry official said, "It is more meaningful in that it does not rot like plastic and harmful substances do not come out."
Some argue that alternative straws such as corn straws, sugar cane straws, and silicon straws should be used. This is because it is eco-friendly without affecting the taste like paper straws.
However, the unit price is more expensive than paper straws, and large brands that sell hundreds of thousands of cups of coffee a day alone have a weakness of having to purchase it personally because it is difficult to supply and demand.
Another industry official said, "We have tested other eco-friendly straws, but it is difficult to meet demand except paper straws," and added, "It will be difficult to ignore hygiene problems for stainless steel and silicon straws that individuals carry."
Writer: Yeyoung Jeon
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