Are sugarcane straws edible? Drinking Straws Buyers Guide

To understand if sugarcane straws are edible, we must first understand what sugarcane is for and what remains of it after production. Sugarcane stalks have been used since ancient times as an addition to the human diet. They were even used to make paper and are still being used today. Sugarcane is a grass species native to tropical regions and has been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, it's widely used for food, fuel, and biodegradable byproducts. 

There are two terms for sugarcane: sucrose cane and cane molasses. Molasses comes from the juice extracted from sugarcane after refining, while sucrose cane is refined sugar cane. Because sugarcane requires much less water than traditional crops like wheat, barley, and rice, farmers worldwide are turning to sugarcane as a primary cash crop. Over 100 million tons of sucrose cane are produced annually, making it the third-largest commercial crop in the world.

After processing for their original purpose, the remaining sugarcane is used to produce a variety of byproducts that include but are not limited to fuel and sugarcane straw. The fibrous material leftover after extracting the juice from it consists of about 50% cellulose, 35% hemicellulose, 7% lignin, 1% pectin, 2% ash, trace amounts of protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber. 

Many questions arise from determining if such products are edible, the answer is no, but they can be fully composted and biodegradable within 3-6 months, and the products are safe for your drinks. 

Drinking Straws Buyers Guide -How do we select and choose the perfect biodegradable straws out of all the varieties of straws?

Step 1. Straw Material

As Canada moves forward with our no-plastic regulation that will take effect starting at the end of 2022, there is still enough time to research and select the best straw material to replace your current plastic straws. Furthermore, having the right material for the straws is strongly related to a customer's experience with their drinks and the durability of the straws. Depending on the material, the straws can be categorized into two types, single used disposable straws, and reusable straws. 

Step 2. Straw Type

Step 3. Choose Supplier

When searching for suppliers, supporting local businesses is strongly recommended. It not only reduces your carbon footprint but helps in local economics. However, there are a few things you would like to consider when searching for compostable single-use plastic alternative straws. First is the quantity of straws that is required for your business. Second, understand the manufacturing process of the straws. When swapping to a new material, some customers may be interested in knowing more about the straws. Understating a little information is always helpful during this type of situation. Plus, it provides peace of mind when serving your customer since you understand what goes into making the product. Lastly, understand the length it takes for the products to decompose. 

Let’s change the planet for the better! Choose our 100% plant-based biodegradable Sugarcane straws at Straw Matters!

Curious about our product and want to test it out? For a limited time, we will ship you samples so you can "try before you buy." Click here to get free samples. 

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