Study: Paper Straws May Have a Greater Environmental Impact Than Plastic Ones

A study commissioned by the South Korean government suggests that paper straws may have a greater environmental impact than plastic ones, calling into question the effectiveness of policies - initiated in 2022 - aimed at replacing plastic products. The research, conducted at the request of Seoul's Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, was presented by lawmaker Kim Wi-sang, according to the website Geekspin, which cites The Korea Herald and The Korea Economic Daily.

• Greater impact across several environmental categories

The study compared paper straws, conventional plastic straws, biodegradable plastic alternatives, and products made from sugarcane-based plastic. The assessment covered 16 categories of environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of the products. The results indicate that standard plastic straws had the lowest impact in 10 of the 16 categories analyzed, including climate change, human toxicity, and particulate matter.

For paper straws, the impact associated with the carcinogenic toxicity indicator was more than six times higher than that of plastic straws. The research also pointed to a twofold increase in impact regarding acidification - a process that affects pH levels in soil and water. The carcinogenic toxicity indicator reflects the potential environmental impact of emissions over the product's life cycle and does not, in itself, serve as a direct measure of risk to consumer health.

• Recycling: A Challenge for All Types of Straws

The research also found that straws are rarely recycled in practice, regardless of the material from which they are made. Their small size makes it difficult for recycling facility equipment to sort them. Furthermore, substances used to make paper straws water-resistant can complicate their processing and increase the energy required for recycling. These findings highlight the limitations of plastic-replacement solutions when alternative materials are not evaluated across their entire life cycle - from production to disposal.

• Criticism of Environmental Policy

Lawmaker Kim Wi-sang has criticized both environmental groups and the government, arguing that authorities should acknowledge the failure of policies based on replacing plastic with materials that are, in fact, ineffective from an environmental protection standpoint. "The government must admit the failure of its "greenwashing' policy, which has focused on ineffective replacement materials," Kim stated, according to the source. Public opinion appears to favor conventional straws; a survey conducted as part of the study, involving 1,001 South Koreans, revealed that 87.5% of respondents prefer plastic straws. For consumers looking to avoid both paper and single-use plastic, reusable straws made of stainless steel or silicone offer an alternative.