Paper Straws Face Scrutiny Amid Findings of Higher Environmental Impact Than Plastic

New research suggests that paper straws, long promoted as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic, may actually have a greater negative impact on human health and the environment. A study commissioned by South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment found that paper straws had a 6.33 times higher carcinogenic impact compared to plastic straws.

The study, which examined four types of straws including traditional plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic, and sugarcane-based options, analyzed 16 ways these products could harm the environment and human health. Researchers found that paper straws also had 2.04 times the impact on environmental acidity, potentially contributing more to pollution that acidifies soil and water.

These findings could prompt a reevaluation of plastic straw restrictions in the United States. Several states, including California, New York, and New Jersey, have implemented regulations requiring businesses to provide plastic straws only upon customer request. Major cities like New York City also prohibit the automatic distribution of plastic straws.

Paper straws first gained popularity in 1888 but declined with the rise of plastic alternatives. They experienced a resurgence around 2018, driven by concerns over ocean plastic pollution and bans on single-use plastics. However, the recent study questions whether this switch has been beneficial for the environment.

The research analyzed the straws' environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, from raw material production to disposal. The study assumed that approximately 74 percent of discarded straws would be incinerated, with the remainder going to landfills. The results indicated that traditional plastic straws had the lowest environmental impact in 10 out of the 16 categories assessed, including climate change, air pollution, and human toxicity.

Conversely, plant-based plastic straws, identified as bio-PE, performed the worst in 10 categories, such as ozone layer depletion, increased acidity in soil and water, and smog pollution. The study also noted that paper straws, despite being marketed as recyclable, present practical challenges for recycling facilities due to their small size and the presence of coatings and adhesives.

These concerns echo sentiments from the past. In March 2025, the Trump administration released a White House report warning of potential health and environmental risks associated with paper straws. The report, titled "National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws," argued that paper straws were more expensive, less effective, and potentially more harmful than plastic versions. President Donald Trump had previously described them as a "pulpy, soggy mess" and raised concerns about "forever chemicals," such as PFAS, which have been linked to cancer and detected in paper straws. This report followed a February 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to cease purchasing paper straws and reverse policies favoring them over plastic alternatives.