From Leaf-Litter to Sustainable Drinking Straw

The environmental problems of single-use plastic straws are well known. Like any single-use plastic, straws are difficult to recycle. They persist in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics which build up in soil and waterways. Research shows that these microplastics may impede the ocean’s ability to sequester carbon, meaning microplastics contribute to the rising atmospheric CO2 levels which cause climate change.

A report by the Center for International and Environmental Law reports that “greenhouse gasses are emitted at each stage of the plastic lifecycle.” Yet creating a more sustainable straw is not as easy as simply switching materials. Paper straws tend to come in packaging that still contains plastic (not to mention these straws disintegrate mid-drink); and straws made from materials like stainless steel and bamboo are reusable yet their manufacturing footprint can still be high because they come packaged with plastic-based brushes used to keep the straws clean between uses. In addition, reusable straws don’t address the commercial need for straws as most businesses find them cost prohibitive.

Dr. Varghese explains that Sunbird Straws works on a “hub and spoke” model that aims for environmental and social responsibility at every step. Five leaf-processing plants currently operate near coconut plantations (the spokes) in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. Workers in these plants clean and cut the leaves then send them to two manufacturing plants (the hubs) where the leaves are made into straws. The multiple locations of these processing and manufacturing plants reduce the distance of material transport (thus reducing emissions) and also ensure that the place of work is convenient for the workers.

Dr. Varghese explains that his main goal in developing Sunbird Straws is to provide meaningful employment opportunities for rural women. These women are paid through a profit-sharing model, and that no woman is more than five minutes away from where she works. This model provides employment but also facilitates women getting home easily to take care of family responsibilities.

The biggest challenge now will be to continue minimizing the company’s carbon footprint while expanding to the global market. Currently, Sunbird Straws ships to multiple countries but manufacturing happens only in India. The goal is to expand manufacturing into these other countries to ensure that transportation emissions remain low. Dr. Varghese notes that the expansion into other countries will allow Sunbird Straws to also expand employment opportunities internationally, furthering his goal to make positive change for rural communities and the environment.

Dr. Saji Varghese, English professor, entrepreneur, and grass-roots innovator has developed a biodegradable straw that tackles all the major problems of the plastic straw. His start-up company, Sunbird Straws, minimizes C02 output at every step of the straw manufacturing process, while providing employment to women in rural communities.

He has developed an innovative way to make straws from fallen coconut leaves. This choice of material means the company does not contribute to C02 emissions through any materials extraction. In fact, they reduce existing emissions by reducing the number of coconut leaves burnt as agriculture waste. Sunbird Straws then uses a low-energy, chemical free manufacturing process to turn these leaves into straws. The coconut leaf contains a natural anti-fungal wax that is brought to the surface through a heating process. This makes the straw water-resistant and eliminates the need for paraffin-wax, a petroleum-based product used on many other plastic straw alternatives. The final product is a dual-wall, all natural, hygienic straw that can last through several drinks.