Drinking straws are just one building block to rid the planet of its pollution. But it's a very important one. Every day, 3 billion plastic strawsare used and thrown in the trash, making it one of the ten most common types of pollution found on beaches. As many countries have already made the switch to alternatives to plastic straws and focus on sustainability.

Alone through our current customer base (as of September 2021) of approx. 10,000 customers in the hospitality and tens of thousands of end consumers, HALM glass drinking straws every day ensures approx. one tonne of single-use plastics are avoided per day.

There is no general answer to this for all types of reusable material. It is, however, important to find out about the respective product and to weigh up its advantages and disadvantages. Last but not least, due to the extremely hygienic nature of glass (very smooth surface, transparent and the most hygienic to clean), at HALM, we decided to produce rreusable drinking straws made of the highest quality glass.

In principle, both types of straw can be recycled. The virtual indestructibility of the material speaks for the metal straw. In favor of the glass straw, on the other hand, are the significantly better haptics, the soft mouthfeel, the neutral taste (metal tastes metallic) and the extremely good hygiene properties. With metal straws, it is unfortunately not possible to quickly determine from the outside whether there are any dirty residues from previous use. The lack of Glass straw resistance that is often accused of glass drinking straws is quickly resolved when you consider that the glass of glass straws is usually a) thicker and b) usually better quality than that of drinking glasses, which even small children can safely use.

When it comes to the question of whether to use a bamboo or glass straw, you should be aware that these are and will be two completely different drinking experiences. The significantly better hygiene properties, the lifelong reusability and the neutral taste speak in favor of glass straws.

Hard plastic straws, like glass straws, can be reused for a lifetime, but hard plastic straws are made from petroleum and usually release carcinogenic plasticizers and other ingredients into the body during use, especially if heated. In favor of glass straws, on the other hand, are significantly better haptics, a soft mouthfeel, a neutral taste (metal tastes metallic), and extremely good hygiene properties. Glass straws (if not made of borosilicate) can also be recycled very easily by being melted down to produce equally good other glass products.

Similar to hard plastic straws, silicone straws can release carcinogenic plasticizers and other ingredients into the body. These are also made from petroleum and are not recyclable. The advantages of glass straws are the significantly better feel, with a soft mouthfeel, neutral taste (metal tastes metallic) and extraordinarily good hygiene properties. Glass straws (if not made of borosilicate glass) can also be recycled very easily by being melted down to produce equally good other glass products. The lack of Glass straw resistance that is often accused of glass drinking straws is quickly resolved when you consider that the glass of glass straws is usually a) thicker and b) usually better quality than that of drinking glasses, which even small children can safely use.

Paper straws are the only real alternative to the currently widely used plastic straws, which are also disposable. However, general use is not good, paper straws disolve away very quickly before a drink is finished, deforestation will increase with higher demand of a widely used product and chemicals are typically used in colored paper straws, which has already prooven to be carcinogenic. At HALM, we clearly recommend the glass straw, which compares better with a soft mouthfeel, neutral taste, lifelong reusability and the most sustainable product.

Simply put, yes! If you pay attention to the recyclability when buying glass straws (no use of borosilicate glass or colored glass), they can be recycled infinitely often and without loss of quality in the glass. In complete contrast to single-use plastic straws, which are one of the biggest global polluters on our beaches and seas. High-quality glass straws can be reused for a lifetime, just like a drinking glass.

Glass drinking straws can be made from extremely strong glass that does not easily break, ensuring safe use. Basically, however, it remains glass and should be handled accordingly. Our glass drinking straws run through multiple quality tests and are currently used by over 10,000 business customers every day, with a lower breakage rate than normal drinking glasses. Compared to plastic or bamboo, glass can neither absorb nor release substances due to the smooth surface of the material.

You can easily clean glass straws in the dishwasher. A standard rinse cycle is enough for a level of cleanliness that you are used to from a drinking glass. If there are smoothie leftovers from the day before in the straw, simply go through them with the supplied brush and the straw will shine like new again.

Yes, in contrast to many other drinking straws, glass drinking straws are absolutely taste neutral and remain so even after thorough cleaning. This ensures the purest drinking experience and enjoyment of all the flavors of your drink!

Glass straws are the most hygienic alternative to plastic straws. Easy to clean and easy to see any left over dirty residue, they are always easy to keep clean because of the hygienic and smooth glass surface

In principle, glass drinking straws are suitable for all drinks that you can also drink with any other straw. Glass has the best temperature resistant qualities so makes them suitable for ice-cold drinks or hot beverages.

The ease of cleaning, the optical and sensory performance, the longevity are just three of many reasons that speak for the use of glass drinking straws in the hospitality industry. HALM already supplies over 10,000 business establishments worldwide with glass straws. Discover HALM glass straws for the Hospitality industry here and buy online in bulk with your own branded engraved straws.

Due to their durability and recyclability, metal straws can be environmentally friendly. But the recycling process is difficult and often requires a lot of energy. The same applies to the manufacturing process, for which environmentally harmful lignite is often used.

In principle, metal straws are harmless to health. Only a little thorough cleaning or injuries in the oral cavity through improper use can possibly become dangerous here.

Metal straws can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Because of the opaque material, it is often not easy to determine whether the drinking straw is really clean as you cannot see inside.

Metal straws are not guaranteed to be taste neutral. Often, just after rinsing, they can leave behind a metallic taste that can disrupt the drinking experience. However, this is not usually a problem in terms of hygiene or health.

With a thorough cleaning, metal straws are hygienic and reusable without any problems due to the smooth surface. However, this requires thorough cleaning of the inside of the drinking straw as well.

Due to the good heat conduction, metal drinking straws can be used for cool drinks and leave a pleasant feeling of freshness. With hot drinks, however, this quickly becomes a problem and could easily burn the skin. 

Basically yes. Longevity and design speak for it. However, the time-consuming and unsafe cleaning makes the use of metal drinking straws a problem, since you often cannot see whether the drinking straw is really clean.

Since paper straws are only intended for one-time use, the origin of the raw materials is decisive for the eco-balance. If wood raw materials are used for processing, the balance of the paper drinking straw is only marginally better than that of a plastic straw. Therefore, pay attention to recycled straws.

Paper straws are absolutely harmless to health as long as only natural raw materials are used for processing. Of course, the drink should be drunk reasonably quickly because the material begins to dissolve in the liquid after a certain amount of time.

No, because paper straws soften/tear easily in the dishwasher.

Paper straws are not taste-neutral. As they tend to lose their structure within minutes of being inside any liquid, the paper taste becomes more intense over time with the drinking time.

When manufactured and stored according to standard, paper straws are hygienically unpolluted, especially since they are used once and then disposed of.

Paper straws are primarily suitable for cold to lukewarm drinks. If the drink is too hot, the straw can dissolve faster than intended.

Due to the disposable nature of the product, they are definitely suitable for Hospitality, although depending on the quantities used, they may no longer be economical. Ultimately, the idea of sustainability recedes into the background, even if no plastic was produced.

An extremely fast-growing plant that is naturally compostable, bamboo could be the near-ideal replacement for disposable straws. However, the chemical processing, the less sustainable local production and the low wages often make bamboo look less sustainable in practice than it could be.

Basically, it is unlikely to get any health side effects from the use of bamboo straws. Nevertheless, bacteria can collect in the wood and multiply through the liquid in the material of the drinking straw. Liquids can penetrate the material through the organic structures, which is why it is important to buy bamboo straws from established manufacturers. The drinking straw is also difficult to see, so that residues can form in the interior.

Bamboo straws are not easy to wash in the dishwasher. Nevertheless, this has an effect on the service life, which can often only be significantly less than half a year.

Bamboo straws have a quite distinct taste of their own, which can be compared to that of wooden sticks in water ice. This increases the longer the bamboo stays in the drink. Substances that have been drawn in from previous liquids can also affect the taste of the drink as a result of repeated use.

Hygiene cannot be guaranteed because bamboo is a natural material that can also harbor bacteria in the wood. HCCP conformity cannot therefore be taken for granted.

Bamboo straws can generally be used for all drinks where you can ignore the slight aftertaste of bamboo. It should be noted, however, that the drinking straw can discolour with intensively colored drinks and warm drinks can cause material fatigue to progress.

Due to the often non-existent HCCP conformity, bamboo drinking straws are not expressly suitable for Hospitality . Short-lived and difficult cleaning also speak against it.

Since silicone is a plastic, environmental friendliness can only be given to a certain extent. However, the disposal infrastructure makes recycling unlikely or impossible. This is due to the disposal in the residual waste and the light weight of the drinking straws, which makes it difficult for the filter machines to register them at all.

Thanks to their flexibility and soft feel, silicone drinking straws are safe for children in particular. However, hard plastic can also come loose over time. They are also difficult to clean, which is particularly noticeable in the interior. Serious concerns are not known.

Silicone straws can be cleaned in the dishwasher. However, residues inside the straw cannot be ruled out. In addition, rinsing with detergent causes greater wear and tear, which also affects the service life of the drinking straw.

Silicone straws also have a slightly artificial aftertaste that takes some getting used to. However, this is not particularly intense and is not a problem with drinks that are more intense in taste. However, the unusual material can be annoying.

Due to the static charge of the silicone, dust can form on the straw, which is difficult to remove. Due to the complicated cleaning, also due to the material, hygienic use is not always given.

Silicone straws can be used for both cold and warm drinks. However, material fatigue tends to set in with warmer drinks.

Due to the static charge and the difficult cleaning, silicone drinking straws are not suitable for Hospitality . They are more of an alternative for use in the household when dealing with small children.