Study finds ‘eco-friendly’ paper straws worse for environment than plastic

Paper straws scored 6.33 times higher than conventional plastic straws on carcinogenic impact across manufacture, use and disposal, according to a government-commissioned study reported by Dawn, citing The Korea Herald.

The report was commissioned by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and disclosed by Rep. Kim Wi-sang of the People Power Party. It assessed conventional plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic and bio-based polyethylene (bio-PE) straws across 16 categories. The carcinogenic figure is a modelled life-cycle measure, not a direct measure of cancer risk to users.

Bio-PE straws scored 16.18 times higher on carcinogenic impact and 5.9 times higher on acidification. Biodegradable plastic scored 3.34 and 1.98 times higher, while paper had 2.04 times the acidification impact. Conventional plastic had the smallest impact in 10 of 16 categories, while bio-PE had the largest in 10.

Straws of all materials proved difficult to recycle. In a survey of 1,001 people, 87.5pc preferred plastic straws, and 54.4pc supported providing straws only on request, against 18.4pc opposed.

The government restricted plastic straws at cafes and restaurants in Nov 2022 but indefinitely extended the enforcement grace period in Nov 2023.

“The government must acknowledge the failure of its greenwashing policy, which fixated on ineffective substitute materials, and avoid repeating it,” Kim said. “Policy should focus on reducing the overall use of disposable products.”