10 Fun Things to Use Instead of Plastic Straws
Updated: Jan. 04, 2022Disney, Starbucks and the state of California have all decided to say “no thanks” to plastic straws. It’s Earth-friendly to skip the plastic straws at home, too!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Stainless Steel
You don’t have to ban all straws—how about trading your plastic straws for this stainless steel set? The straws can be used—and reused!—for cold drinks in your tumbler, drinking glass or travel mug. Here’s why plastic straws are disappearing from restaurants.
Paper Straws
For a disposable straw, paper is your best bet. Plastic straws aren’t recyclable—and won’t break down in a landfill—but paper straws like this are biodegradable. This set of paper drinking straws comes in a gorgeous rainbow of colors!
Straw Water Bottle
Skip the straw altogether and use this Contigo water bottle with a pop-up straw. It’s leak-proof, too, which makes this a good option for anyone who loves to bring water to work or take a daily walk. Take your beverage up a notch with these infused water ideas.
Drinking Lid for Mason Jars
Turn a regular mouth Mason jar into an adorable on-the-go mug! This cute drink lid snaps open and closed so your morning cup of coffee won’t drip all over. It’s made from recycled materials and is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. The design reminds us of the new lids at Starbucks.
Hard Plastic Drinking Straws
This set of hard plastic drinking straws doesn’t completely solve the plastic problem but they are durable and reusable. Like other straw sets, they come with a bristly brush that makes cleaning easy.
Starbucks Venti Cold Cup
This Venti-sized tumbler holds 24 ounces of Starbucks cold brew or any other tasty iced beverage. The reusable cup’s double wall construction helps keep your iced tea or coffee cool, and its reusable straw is hard to lose. By bringing in any personal cup to Starbucks, you qualify for a $.10 discount, too!
Yeti with Slide-Top Lid
The Yeti Rambler is definitely a splurge, but you may never buy another straw again. Yeti has a MagSlider lid that uses magnets to keep your water, coffee or soda locked in. The best thing about this cup might be that it can be used for hot or cold beverages.
Soft Silicone Straws
For anyone who has resisted using reusable straws because the glass or hard plastic hurts your teeth, this set of soft silicone straws is exactly what you need. They’re durable, flexible and can even be cut into different lengths so they fit your favorite cup perfectly.
Glass Straws
This set of glass straws looks so sleek! The straws come both bent and straight, so you can grab whatever style works best for your cup or mug. The straws are transparent, so it’s easy to see whether they’re clean or not. Here’s why drinks really do taste better with a straw.
Jumbo Straws
Each straw in this set is wider than a regular straw, which makes it ideal for smoothies and milkshakes. They’re made from silicone, so they’re soft and won’t chip your kiddo’s teeth. You can use the straws with a regular drinking glass or tumbler, or cut them down to size so they work for a toddler’s cup.
Bonus: Pepperoni Straws
Here’s a straw that’s 100% environmentally friendly because there’s no waste—you’re going to eat the whole thing! This box of pepperoni straws is tasty, smoky and exactly what you need for a Bloody Mary during brunch.
