UK government is banning plastic straws – what to do instead

Branded bamboo & paper straws
UK government is banning plastic straws – what to do instead

The UK government is bringing in new legislation to severely limit the sale of plastic straws, along with plastic drinks stirrers and cotton buds, from April 2020.

A recent study showed that 8.5 billion plastic straws are thrown away in the UK every year, and they are among the most common items found in beach clean-ups.

Plastic straws don’t decompose or biodegrade, so they stay in landfill for hundreds of years. Those that don’t make it to landfill often make their way into the sea where they harm marine life, and eventually break down into microplastics and enter the food chain.

In order to limit this environmental damage, from April 2020 plastic straws will no longer be on sale in shops and supermarkets. They will still be available in pharmacies for people with disabilities who rely on straws, and they will be available on request in bars and restaurants.

A year from now, we think everyone who uses straws will have their own – so now is the ideal time to give reusable straws as a promotional gift. We have something to suit all budgets with our great range of promotional branded straws made from metal, silicon and bamboo.

Stainless steel straws are durable, tasteless, and resist oxidation and corrosion. They are easy to carry around as they do not break, plus they are dishwasher safe and easy to clean using the steel brush supplied with the product.

We offer metal straws engraved with your company name, presented in a gift pouch which can be printed on both sides. Our bestsellers include a stainless steel straw in a black microfibre pouch and a stainless steel straw with a natural-coloured 100% cotton pouch.

Folded reusable straws are a perfect option to keep with you at all times, as they tuck away neatly into a carry case which easily fits in a bag or pocket. An easy-to-wash silicone inner straw is contained within the metal straw, and this also gives the product a soft silicone tip.

Our branded folded straws are presented in neat storage case made of biodegradable materials, available in pink, grey, orange, green, blue and black. The storage cases can be printed with your branding, and they can even be Pantone matched on orders over 1,000.

For the most natural, sustainable material with the lowest carbon footprint, you can’t beat bamboo straws.  Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing and most sustainable plant materials on the planet, producing 35% more oxygen than trees and actively helping to repair the environment. Of all the reusable straws available, bamboo is the only one which is compostable.

Bamboo straws are easy to carry around, and they are dishwasher-safe. You do need to pay a little more attention to cleaning and drying them compared to some other types of straws, but if you look after them properly they can last for a year or more – and they can be composted when they reach the end of their useful life.

Our branded bamboo straws come in sets of two with a steel brush for easy cleaning, and are presented in a cotton gift pouch that can be printed on both sides.

Soft and bendy, silicone straws can be easier to use for people who are new to reusable straws, and they are ideal for children. They can handle extreme temperatures so they work well with hot drinks as well as cold ones, and are dishwasher-safe. Silicone straws are also a more cost-effective option.

Although silicone is considered similar to plastic, it is not actually a plastic but a material made primarily from the naturally-occurring element silicon. Silicone straws are free from BPA and other substances common in plastics. Silicone is also a very stable material, meaning it does not leach chemicals when exposed to temperature variations and liquids.

We offer silicone straws that can be printed on and even Pantone matched for large orders, and silicone straws presented in a branded gift case. Cases are available in black, royal blue, red, orange, white and green.

If you still need some help narrowing down your options, our Promotional Merchandise Consultants will be happy to help you weigh up the pros and cons. You can reach us on sales@promo-brand.co.uk or 0208 318 9603.