There are numerous alternatives that can be used more than once, how Bamboo, silicone or stainless steel. Since it has been shown above that Disposable drinking straws are not a sensible alternative for restaurateurs we want to go into more detail about reusable drinking straws.

Bamboo straws are relative robust and stable . You are one very environmentally friendly variant compared to materials such as silicone and plastic . Bamboo is a fast-growing raw material that is also compostable is. Nevertheless, it is not infinitely available and this resource should therefore also be used with care . In addition, bamboo has to be transported from Asian countries to Germany, whereby this Long transport routes are not good for the environment is. Because of their naturalness, bamboo straws are initially harmless to health and do not contain chemical substances such as BPA. However, it is Despite all this, hygiene cannot be guaranteedn , as the drinking straws cannot be cleaned while hot. During the rinsing process they can become deformed and in the long run absorb fluids and bacteria . Hence her Very limited shelf life. However, bamboo straws are out of the question for gastronomy:

Since they are not HACCP-compliant, they may not be used in the catering sector.

Silicone straws are flexible, soft and unbreakable . They are an alternative that is not widely used in the hospitality industry. The material may, for example, be aesthetic due to its color and a pleasant feeling in the mouth convey. However, it has its Weaknesses in the frequent use as a drinking straw . Use can do that quite expensive even though reusability is advertised. You could theoretically clean them in the dishwasher and then reuse them. The problem in practice is that Customers chew on the silicone, which can leave tooth marks on the straws and is therefore not perceived as very pleasant in the eyes of other customers. You a Also quickly absorb the colors of the drinks, which can lead to stains . The straws must therefore be constantly replaced as they wear out over time. In addition, they charge electrically and quickly attract dust.

Hygiene is also an important factor. Who wants to drink from a straw next to Dental prints and stains are not clean inside either?

Silicone straws can also be hazardous to health, because volatile residues of the so-called siloxanes that make up the silicone can dissolve when heated .

Probably the biggest advantage of metal drinking straws is theirs Longevity and break resistance . Besides, they are BPA-free and mostly dishwasher-safe . However, metal drinking straws are not tasteless, as they usually have a metallic aftertaste . This creates a taste-changing interaction between the drink and the metal drinking straw. The SC harsh edges make the mouth feel uncomfortable and can lead to injuries to teeth and palate . Further metal conducts heat, which means that metal drinking straws heat up particularly quickly when used in hot drinks which in turn can attempt burns. Hygiene plays an extremely important role in gastronomy, which is why lack of transparency the metal drinking straws pose a major problem Customers cannot tell whether the metal drinking straw inside is really clean which discourages them from actually using it.

Glass drinking straws can be the most sustainable and best alternative to plastic straws and other alternatives for gastronomy, if the right glass is used . Because glass is the only material that absolute taste neutrality guaranteed. The taste is thus not contaminated and there is no interaction between the drinking straw and the drink. This creates the best taste experience for the customer. Reusable glass drinking straws are also harmless to health as they are dishwasher-safe and therefore heat-resistant . The smooth surface and the transparency of the drinking straws make them most hygienic option . The glass drinking straws are cleaned As usual, simply in the cutlery basket of the glass or dishwasher . In addition, the customer can see for himself that the drinking straw is clean , creating an absolutely positive drinking experience.

How expensive are they?

It can be clearly seen that Reusable drinking straws have a massive price advantage compared to single-use alternatives , despite higher one-time costs and possible shrinkage. By using reusable drinking straws, you save 1,000-3,000 a year compared to disposable alternativesn .

But the reusable alternatives also differ in terms of their shelf life. Due to its limited durability, silicone has the disadvantage of metal and glass. If you compare metal and glass directly with each other, it is noticeable that the advantages of glass outweigh this, as it is tasteless and transparent . The only advantage of metal over glass is its higher breaking strength. The perfect drinking straw for gastronomy is therefore a glass drinking straw that is nonetheless highly resistant to breakage. In the following, we want to take a closer look at the quality aspect of glass drinking straws.