10 things you might not know about Raw Straws

1) They are made from a natural “waste product”

In the production of wheat, the husks (or stems) are considered waste. After the grain is extracted they are left in the fields to break down, given to livestock or, on some occasions (but fortunately not very often) burnt. Instead, we focus on keeping the stem intact, so all that needs to happen is the stripping of the outer layers, then cooking at high heat to sanitise them. That’s it!

2) They were the original drinking straw.

the very first straw was made from wheat stems - or, in other words, straw. You can read more about it here.

3) They are good for the garden.

Yes, you read that correctly. Raw Straws are so natural that after use you can pop them straight in the garden. They act the same way mulch would, helping retain moisture in the soil. If you have compost they act as the carbon element, helping food scraps break down more efficiently.

4) Raw Straws don’t go soggy.

We have left our Raw Straws in hot and cold liquid for several hours, even days (!) and they are still useable.

5) Raw Straws are made by Mother Nature, so they can vary in colour and width.

That means sometimes a super skinny straw can squeeze through the batch. To make up for this we ensure each tube is packed full, so the minimum amount of straws in an order is 100, but this can go up to 120. This way you can use two straws when they are on the skinnier side.

They’re the most sustainable single-use straw, ever.

We can grow over 20 million Raw Straws in an area the size of a rugby patch, every year. Meanwhile, paper straws are responsible for the cutting of 20 year old soft wood trees. We are at a time where our canopy cover is more important than ever in fighting off the effects of climate change, and “sustainably sourced” or not, if we can avoid using the cutting down of these trees we should. (Don’t even get us started on plastic)

7) Raw Straws are flavourless.

The stripping and heat ensures that the outer layers don’t disintegrate in your drink but also seals the husk so you don’t have any flavour change coming from the straw.

8) Raw Straws are the perfect straw for sharing.

If you’re like us and find it tiring being the nagging “anti plastic” friend, then Raw Straws are for you! At just .10c each it’s not a big deal if you want to share them around the table. Then you don’t have to be the educator and they don’t have to feel guilty. Hopefully it will become a great opportunity to share the alternatives with friends rather than pester them with the downsides.

9) Raw Straws aren’t suitable for the elderly or those with disabilities.

Unfortunately these groups require a straw which has a flexible design. Raw Straws, while strong, if bent will crack and become unusable. But we are working on a new product that will be coming out soon to support this group of people!

10) Raw Straws are currently made overseas… but we’re working on finding a way to make them here!

Currently we have no option but to source the wheat stem Raw Straws from across South East Asia. The dry climate in Australia means that our wheat stems are thinner than other countries and also the stripping of the outer material needs to be done by hand. Until we can find the right strain of drought-resistant what and