Breakthrough development produces straws that keep their shape whilst also biodegrading in open and ocean environments
Soggy paper straws could soon be a thing of the past, as Korean researchers have developed a fully biodegradable paper straw that keeps its shape when in use.
Paper straws have increased in popularity since the UK government banned single-use plastic straws in 2021, but their replacements have proved to have limitations.
As paper quickly turns soggy when wet, conventional paper straws are coated with either polyethylene or acrylic resin to maintain their structure and integrity.
However, as paper and plastic have a poor bonding compatibility, even a coated straw may have uncoated patches – or patches that can easily tear or break – thus allowing the paper straw to take on water and quickly become soggy.
Conventional paper straws can also prove difficult to recycle and, in some cases – when coated in polyethylene – can still release microplastics into the environment as they break down after use.
Until now, biodegradable coatings have proved problematic – due to problems with decomposition, cost and limitations on mass-production – but now researchers in Korea may have found the solution.
Dr Oh Dongyeop and his team at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology synthesised a well-known biodegradable plastic – polybutylene succinate (PBS) – by adding to it a small number of cellulose nanocrystals.
These nanocrystals are the same material as the main component of paper, thus allowing the modified bioplastic to firmly attach to the paper surface during the coating process.
This improved coating allowed the straws to keep their shape during use, whilst also biodegrading – even in the ocean – in less than 120 days.
The breakthrough could offer an economical, easy-to-produce and 100 percent biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic straws – which the researchers believe marks a significant step in the right direction.
“This technology is but a small step toward the direction we need to take in this era of plastic,” said Dr Dongyeop.
“Turning a plastic straw we often use into a paper straw will not immediately impact our environment, but the difference will be profound over time.
“If we gradually change from using conventional disposable plastic products to various eco-friendly products, our future environment will be much safer than what we now worry about.”
Plastic straws were among a number of ‘single-use’ items banned by the UK Government in July 2021, in a bid to help tackle plastic waste and to protect natural environments and marine wildlife.
Many companies have invested heavily in developing new environmentally-friendly replacements for single-use products, across a range of industries.
Twickenham Stadium in London – home of the England rugby team – last year announced it was to replace all plastic pint glasses sold in the ground with a self-destructing biodegradable plastic pint glass.
The breakthrough product was created by British innovators Polymateria, who have been making waves in the packaging industry with a range of new biodegradable products that are scientifically proven to leave behind no microplastics.
Leading UK manufacturer Polybags has already added a number of new products to their market-leading eco packaging range – all of which feature Polymateria’s breakthrough biotransformation technology.
Now, following developments in Korea, can we expect fully biodegradable paper straws to join the list of innovative new products to hit the shelves in the not-too-distant future?
