We are all now fully aware how damaging single-use plastics are to the environment, especially plastic straws (with it estimated that 4.7 billion were used in England every year). Whilst plastic straws have been missing from our favourite takeaway drinks for a long time (about 2 years), from the 1st October 2020 the ban of single use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds finally came into UK legislation (had been deferred from April 2020). This means our favourite milkshakes come with paper straws, which to frank, are not the nicest to use as they get soggy, have a weird texture and some have a strange taste, so an alternative is required and glass straws are the answer.
Now with the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic and consumer awareness of the benefits of eco-friendly products, consumers have been utilising their own reusable straws when dining / drinking out during the current pandemic to reduce contact points.
There are plenty of reusable straws on the market – plastic, metal, bamboo and glass. The reusable straw market is getting bigger, especially for good quality sustainable ones.
VASO launched their range of premium glass straws in the UK at the start of the year. VASO’s range of premium glass straws offer consumers a reusable, sustainable and recyclable product (and packaging) that delivers a 100% pure taste as they are free from plastics, toxins, mineral oils and BPA.
The straws are extremely high quality, engineered in Germany from toughened glass. They also have a range of bamboo travel cases that have been specifically designed for their straws so you can take them with you and use when out and about (when COVID restrictions allow).
With Christmas approaching, you might be looking for sustainable, recyclable and eco-friendly gifts and stocking fillers for your loved ones and the VASO glass straws would be a good stocking filler. VASO glass straws are a fantastic alternative to single use plastic, paper and even reusable plastic drinking straws. Made from German engineered toughened glass, with rounded corners, shatterproof construction and stress tested to withstand twice the maximum adult human bite capacity, they are perfectly safe, much more environmentally friendly and have no waste. You can buy them as sets of straws for the home or as a single straw in a bamboo travel case for those on the go (idea for a Secret Santa gift).
VASO glass straws come in three different sizes; 15cm, 20cm and 23cm which are perfect for a small glass of water, up to a pint glass of milk (see size guide). VASO kindly sent us a mixed pack of four straws containing two 20cm and two 23cm glass straws to try out for ourselves. They are certified food safe, dishwasher safe and are suitable for any hot or cold beverage between -40° and 200°.
In our house we mostly use straws for cold drinks, but the VASO glass straws can also be used with hot drinks as they are temperature resistant (we have been using them with hot chocolate with no issues). Whether we used them for a cold glass of water or juice or hot chocolate the straw did not affect the taste (as we have found when we use paper straws).
We love using them as they do not affect the taste of any drink and they are really tough (if you do manage to damage one it needs to be recycled, do not continue to use it). They clean up extremely well in the dishwasher and just as well by hand and there has been no discolouring from use or washing. They are a great replacement for single use plastic straws. They are environmentally friendly and fully recyclable (they can be put out in a glass recycling bin if they get damaged). And they look really cool in a glass!
When you look at the price, at between £15 to £17 without a brush depending on pack size (currently on sale at £11.99 for all sizes) or from £7.99 for a single straw with bamboo case, they might seem expensive. They are not, they are a premium product that will last for years without putting plastic waste into the environment and over the course of their lifetime will actually save money over their disposable counterparts. Whilst the initial outlay might be more than you would pay for a pack of straws, they are cheaper in the long run, in more ways than one!
The VASO glass straws are a must for any environmentally conscious person or someone who just wants to reduce their plastic use, or even just to add a bit of style and quirkiness to their drinks.
Tough, eco-friendly, no-nonsense straws that are an excellent replacement for plastic and paper straws, and perfect for that Christmas stocking filler or Secret Santa gift this year.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: from £7.99
For more information visit glassstraw.co.uk.
