[ad_1]
They are customizable, biodegradable and popular among restaurants that strive to be environmentally friendly.
Restaurants across the country are starting to move from disposable plastic straws to paper alternatives, and they are helping to develop a Fort Wayne business at surprising rates. But the switch to paper straws can have unintended consequences for people with disabilities.
Paper straw tends to collapse in hot beverages or soup, and soggy paper may cause a choking hazard, said David Nelson, CEO of the League of the Blind and disabled people. In addition, the use of a paper straw can be difficult to use for people who have trouble controlling their bite, especially people with Parkinson's disease. "People with disabilities are sensitive to this environmental problem, they just need an alternative that works for them."
Unfortunately, Nelson said, there does not seem to be a good alternative to plastic, because Reusable straws made of glass or metal come with their own security risks. Biting on these could cause serious injury, said Nelson. Glass and metal also lead to heat, which can make them dangerous when used with hot drinks.
It seems that almost all restaurants are trying to find out whether the use of paper straws suits their business. straws are a good idea. Tom Parizi, Casa's director of operations, said that he had considered the possibility of using paper straws, but that he had not had the opportunity to test them.
Aardvark Straws, 1430 Progress Road, based in Fort Wayne. straws on the market that are manufactured in the United States. He has been making paper straws since 2007 after improving Marvin Stone's original 1888 design. Increased demand has caused a spike in the production of the company.
The company claims that its straws are durable, FDA compliant and are available in different sizes to meet the needs of straws of different sizes.
Some distributors who serve restaurants in the Fort Wayne area do not offer paper straws.
Councilor Tom Didier, a salesman for US Foods, works with many restaurants in Fort Wayne. Didier confirmed that paper straws are not currently available in Fort Wayne through his company that sells food and other supplies to the country's restaurants.
Didier said US Foods plans to add a paper straw produced by Aardvark or Company – to its catalog in August.
US Foods is listed on the Aardvark website as one of its many distributors. Other retailers on this long list include Acorn Distributors, based in Indianapolis, and national companies such as Sysco, Aramark and Trimark.
Didier thinks that paper straws are more popular on the east and west coasts.
"I'm going to look, but I can not say we're still going to make the trip," said Parizi. "I do not know the prices, the packaging, the availability, what to do if we make a movement and that the company can not meet the demand?"
Because the chain of restaurants does a lot of things. "Business and catering, Casa is always looking for something new and exciting," said Parizi.
But the changes must be profitable.
The continued use of plastic straws has an environmental cost. Because they are not biodegradable, they take up space in landfills, while others enter the waterways. Plastic straws have been found in the ocean and are among the best beach wastes collected.
This is something that has also attracted the attention of government agencies. The Allen County Environmental Management Department is now discouraging the use of any kind of straw, if possible.
In general, the department supports efforts, particularly by businesses, to reduce waste in order to preserve natural resources and landfill. , the department's technical affairs coordinator.
"Part of that is to reduce the use of any type of straw by only offering them on demand," Leamon said. "Disposable plastic of any kind, including straws, is discouraged whenever possible because of the short useful life compared to the fact that they are often not recyclable or biodegradable. paper are a better alternative because they can decompose and are made from renewable sources. "
The county also launched its" Reduce Your Use: Plastic Straws "campaign earlier this year
. of plastic pollution in our water courses and natural areas, where they pose a threat to wildlife, "says the ministry's website. "Even if they are properly removed, plastic straws never disappear, they are not recyclable and do not decompose."
Source link
