2018 has been a big year for plastic straws as they became the poster child for the case against plastic pollution. This year, Seattle became the first state to ban plastic straws, San Francisco will implement its ban in 2019, and several other U.S. cities and states, including NYC and Hawaii have pending legislations on the table to follow suit. In addition to states, many major corporations such as Starbucks, Disney, American Airlines and more have announced initiatives to go plastic straw-free. So, what’s the big deal? The straws are often missed in the recycle process and end up in the ocean and in the bellies of marine life. And, when you do recycle the straws, they pile up in landfills or in the environment because they can’t be decomposed. Though a very small part of our plastic pollution problem, it’s a great first step in the right direction. Here, some of my favorite reusable straws. Side Note: I don’t recommend any paper straws, even though they are biodegradable, because they don’t hold up well and fall apart.

Klean Kanteen
Note, I’m biased about this brand because I received it for free in a gift bag at Marie Claire’s Sustainability Forum back in April. As a result, it was the first set of reusable straws I owned. I love that the bottom portion of it is stainless steel, making it ideal of hot beverages, and the top is made of a food grade, removable silicone that’s flexible so you can bend it like a regular straw.

SharkStraw – Stainless Steel Collapsable Reusable Portable Drinking Straw
What’s great about this brand is it has a collapsible design, which makes carrying it around a breeze without having to wrap it in tissue or put in a baggie. You can attach the case to a bag or belt and it comes with a cleaning brush.

Healthy Glass Straws
This set of handcrafted glass straws are non-toxic and BPA free. The company offers a lifetime guarantee and the straws come in a case for easy transport. Because it’s glass it can hold up in hot and cold temperatures and is dishwasher safe.

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