Paper straws, widely promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, may have a greater environmental impact than conventional plastic straws, according to a new government-commissioned study in South Korea.
The study found that paper straws had 6.33 times the potential human carcinogenic impact and 2.04 times the acidification impact of regular plastic straws throughout their life cycle, from production to disposal.
Researchers compared four types of straws, including conventional plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic, and bio-based polyethylene (bio-PE), across 16 environmental categories.
Conventional plastic straws recorded the lowest environmental impact in 10 of the 16 categories, including climate change, acidification, particulate matter, and human toxicity.
However, researchers clarified that the carcinogenic impact assessment measures potential environmental effects during a product’s life cycle rather than the direct cancer risk to consumers.
The report also highlighted recycling challenges, noting that the small size of straws makes them difficult to sort, while coatings and adhesives further complicate recycling.
Researchers recommended reducing the overall use of disposable straws instead of simply replacing plastic with other materials. They also suggested that businesses provide straws only when customers request them.
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