The habit of using plastic straws has contributed to a global plastic waste crisis when it is an item used by people every day and most of it is not reused.
To replace plastic straws that pollute the environment, many solutions have been considered and put into application.

Dangers of plastic straws

According to data from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, every day more than 2,000 tons of plastic waste is discharged into the sea and ocean in Vietnam. Although there are no specific statistics on each type of garbage, it can be imagined that in this huge volume of plastic waste, there are many plastic straws.

This is an item that many consumers throw away every day along with plastic cups and plastic bags after consuming beverage products. Plastic straws take between 200 and 500 years to decompose and are one of the major polluters of the marine environment and marine organisms.

Although it does not take up too much space and is small in size, plastic straws are capable of polluting the soil and water environment… and extremely dangerous to human health if not properly recycled and destroyed. way.

Changing consumption habits

To reduce plastic waste, first of all, it is necessary to focus on changing usage habits with the most commonly used and discarded plastic items, including plastic straws.

Although, the cost of other types of straws made from stainless steel, glass, rice, grass, young, paper … is higher than plastic straws, but think further, the cost to improve the environment caused by plastic waste many times larger.

Not to mention the consequences not only for the environment but also for human health and the life of marine species in the ocean.

Among the types of straws made from more environmentally friendly materials, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

With stainless steel straws, bamboo straws, glass straws, we can reuse and are suitable for individuals, after using, need to clean for further use. Straws made from grass, rice flour are disposable and easy to decompose when released into the environment, currently mainly produced by hand.

For businesses, especially in the FMCG industry, alternatives to plastic straws need to be considered on more criteria.

Although paper straws still have certain disadvantages such as being easy to soften and consumers are not familiar with how to use them, however, in terms of the nature of packaging and transportation, this is the most suitable choice in this time. current point. Paper straws are also very eco-friendly, taking only 6 to 12 weeks to decompose.

Nestlé MILO’s journey to find an alternative to plastic straws

Information about the global plastic waste crisis is not new, and businesses that limit the use of plastic straws to protect the environment are also more supportive of consumers.

Despite facing many challenges, many businesses are constantly trying to develop alternative solutions in consumer production to reduce plastic waste into the environment, including Nestlé MILO.

Starting from March 2020, Nestlé MILO started experimenting with using paper straws for the MILO Breakfast product line, instead of regular plastic straws. From May 2021, Nestlé MILO officially switched to paper straws on all instant drink products.

According to the brand, changing the material of the straw does not affect the quality of the product as well as the user’s usage habits. Nestlé MILO estimates that the introduction of paper straws will help reduce more than 676 tons of plastic waste each year, equivalent to the weight of more than 3 blue whales.

As the first liquid milk brand to apply paper straws to all ready-to-drink products, Nestlé MILO also wants to call on parents to accompany the brand to create responsible consumption habits, create a awareness of joining hands for sustainable development from an early age for children, because these are the preschools that will directly inherit the future of the country.

More than anyone else, brands understand that being a pioneer will inevitably encounter initial challenges, especially in creating a new habit in consumers. However, Nestlé MILO believes that this is a necessary step for a dynamic and green Vietnam.

The new paper straws introduced by Nestlé MILO this time have many significant improvements compared to last year’s version. The brand has also provided recommendations and guidelines for using paper straws to provide the best product experience for consumers, especially children.

Parents can rest assured for their children to use because the paper used to produce Nestlé MILO straws is made from 100% virgin paper, of plant origin (no recycled paper ingredients) and no printing ink. .

The straw is small, but the impact is not small. Only by switching to more environmentally friendly solutions and options right with a straw, individuals and businesses can contribute to the journey of reducing plastic waste with more positive signals.

Source: Tuoitre.vn