Paper Straws More Harmful to Environment Than Plastic : Study

News Desk

SEOUL: A recent government-commissioned study has found that paper straws are significantly more harmful to the environment than conventional plastic straws, scoring 6.33 times higher in carcinogenic impact during their lifecycle.

The report, disclosed by Rep. Kim Wi-sang of the People Power Party, assessed the environmental effects of four types of straws: conventional plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic, and bio-based polyethylene (bio-PE).

The comprehensive assessment, conducted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, evaluated impacts from raw material production to disposal across 16 categories.

It is important to note that the carcinogenic impact figure is a modeled life-cycle measure and does not directly reflect cancer risk for users.

The study assumed that 73.6% of discarded straws were incinerated, while 26.4% ended up in landfills, based on national waste statistics.

In comparison to plastic straws, paper straws also exhibited a 2.04 times greater acidification impact. Bio-PE straws were found to be even worse, with a staggering 16.18 times the human carcinogenic impact and 5.9 times the acidification impact.

Biodegradable plastic straws also posed a significant threat, showing 3.34 times the carcinogenic impact and 1.98 times the acidification impact.

This study raises critical questions about the environmental benefits of alternatives to plastic straws, prompting a reevaluation of their use in restaurants and cafes.

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, the findings may influence future regulations and consumer choices regarding straw materials.