The straws were developed in South Korea and are made from just two ingredients. They biodegrade in about 100 days.
As the City of Vancouver considers delaying its ban on single-use consumer items, a local company believes that straws made from rice and tapioca could help reduce plastic use.
“We know we have a plastic problem and we know it isn’t going to end with just straws,” said company spokesperson Din Dinh. “But by shifting over doing one good thing for our environment, we can create awareness and push people to other environmentally friendly behaviours.” Dinh said that is not an issue with rice straws, which are made from equal parts rice — the majority of which otherwise would have been wasted — and tapioca. They are made with no additives and have no taste. Dinh said they break down in about 100 days, and can even be cooked and eaten.
The company sells basic and wide straws — the type used for bubble tea — as well as stir sticks. Rice bags, single-use cutlery and “slush straws” are in the works. Woodburn said he was skeptical at first, but the product performs as advertised. The resort composts used straws, and Woodburn said they begin to break down within days.Guu Davie, the newest restaurant in the local Guu chain of Japanese eateries, has also tested the straws, according to spokesperson Yasumi Yajima. Although the restaurant doesn’t usually provide straws, it offered rice straws when asked.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Local amputee bikes through Asia helping others who have lost limbsStephen Sumner has handed over 2,500 mirrors to amputees in developing countries on a one-man mission to help them.
Read more »
Vancouver council to consider 30 km/h speed limit for local streetsCouncillor’s motion seeks to lobby B.C. government to change the Motor Vehicle Act to a default speed limit of 30 km/h for local streets.
Read more »
4 Teens Killed In New Brunswick After Their Vehicle Veered Off RoadTwo local high schools would be open between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to give students an opportunity to meet with grief counsellors
Read more »
Bus crash kills 28, mostly Germans, on Portugal's MadeiraLocal mayor Filipe Sousa tells cable news channel SIC that the victims include 17 women and 11 men.
Read more »
Bus carrying Germans crashes, kills 28 on Portugal's MadeiraA tour bus carrying German tourists crashed on Portugal's Madeira Island on Wednesday, killing 28 people and injuring 28 others, local authorities said.
Read more »
Bus carrying Germans crashes, kills 28 on Portugal's MadeiraA tour bus carrying German tourists crashed on Portugal's Madeira Island on Wednesday, killing 28 people and injuring 28 others, local authorities said.
Read more »
Peru’s ex-President Alan Garcia shoots himself before arrestPeru’s Health Ministry said Garcia was sent to Jose Casimiro Ulloa Hospital at 6:45 a.m. local time for a bullet wound to the head
Read more »
Christina de Castell: Libraries can help people connect and learn how to cut through misinformationI invite you all to visit your local library, bring a friend and explore big ideas that have the potential to transform the world around us.
Read more »