Scientists Finally Develop Biodegradable Straws That Won’t End Up Soggy

In recent years, plastic straws have become somewhat of a common enemy. Many businesses, including global giants such as McDonald’s and Starbucks, have phased out the single-use utensil, with even entire states such as Seattle deciding to ban its use.

However, the replacement options, which often include paper, aren’t perfect. Many a time, these alternative straws end up soggy after sitting in drinks for longer than a few minutes. While non-disposable straws are an option, not many people are willing to lug one around everywhere.

As such, scientists from Inha University in South Korea have devised a solution to the problem by creating a biodegradable straw using a new material—lignin—a type of polymer found in the supporting tissue of plants and trees. They published the study in the journal ACS Omega.

Interestingly, lignin can also be found as a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, which allows for the “waste” to be upcycled into something useful. The team combined the material with potato starch or plant-derived polyvinyl alcohol before adding citric acid.

Then, the mixture was spread onto a thin sheet, which was rolled into a cylinder and heated to dry in a vacuum of 356 ºF. The result? A seal-sealed bioplastic tube that can be cut into individual, bendy straws.

The best part is that, unlike paper straws, these straws don’t turn soggy, with the researchers claiming they’re even more durable than the conventional plastic straws we’re accustomed to. While plastic straws take decades to biodegrade, these significantly break down in just months.

According to the team, the bioplastic film, which was found to offer ultraviolet (UV) protection, could have other applications other than straws. Perhaps it could be soon used as a coating for greenhouse windows or create other eco-friendly products to boost sustainability.

[via New Atlas and American Chemical Society, images via various sources]