Like most people I've used plastic straws my entire life. However, plastic straws are made from polypropylene, which is #5 among the Plastic Identification Codes. This isn't good because most recycling centers will not take them. Which means after you use them you have to throw them in the trash. I don't like that. My mood about straws improved, however, after I tried Glass Dharma glass straws from the good people at Buygreen.com.
Glass Dharma hand makes each glass straw with borosilicate tubing and is the strongest glass commercially available. The glass straws come in three sizes: 7mm Sipper, 9.5mm Ice Tea and 12mm Smoothie. Each glass straw is handmade in the United States and are microwave and dishwasher safe. Glass Dharma straws are fully backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. They are also covered with the manufacturers Lifetime Guarantee against breakage.
I'm a fan of drinking tea and smoothies so I tried one 9.5mm glass straw and one 12mm glass straw. I got each one with decorative dots. I find that the dots make it easier to grip the straws. I found that the 9.5mm glass straw is great for ordinary liquids whether they are hot or cold. I used the wider 12mm glass straw with a smoothie and a root beer float. The glass straw worked very well for both. Where a normal plastic straw would struggle, this glass straw is a champ. An added plus is that since the glass straws are rigid you can use them to stir your drinks, which is especially helpful for certain beverages. I also used a cleaning brush. The brush made it very easy to clean each glass straw and making them ready to be used again.
I really can't say enough about these glass straws. Not only do they work well, but they are preventing me from using inferior plastic straws and then having to throw them away. I recommend these glass straws for everyone. They would also make great gifts for any occasion. Certainly, a true Green product and definitely an item I will always use now. For more information or to buy the Glass Dharma glass straws, go here.
