{
  "id": 17536408,
  "title": "Hate paper straws? Asia’s new alternatives are another eco trap",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/hate-paper-straws-asias-new-alternatives-are-another-eco-trap",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T05:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3372751/hate-paper-straws-asias-new-alternatives-are-another-eco-trap"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent South Korean study has raised concerns about the environmental impact of paper straws, suggesting they may not be the greener choice many believe. The study, commissioned by South Korea’s environment ministry, found that paper straws have 6.33 times the carcinogenic impact and 2.04 times the acidification impact of conventional plastic straws across their entire life cycle, from production to disposal. This challenges the assumption that paper is necessarily the more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.\n\nThe findings have ignited a debate in Asia, where many companies are rapidly shifting away from plastic straws to adopt paper or other alternatives. For example, Starbucks Japan replaced paper straws with biodegradable options in January 2025, while Tully’s Coffee Japan is expanding its use of biodegradable additives in straws across its 850 outlets. However, experts warn that these corporate moves may be driven more by regulation and marketing trends than by comprehensive scientific assessments of their environmental consequences.\n\nKim Wi-sang, a lawmaker from the opposition People Power Party, highlighted the study's release, suggesting that the findings should prompt a re-evaluation of corporate sustainability commitments. Experts argue that while the reduction in plastic use is commendable, the shift to paper straws may simply move environmental burdens from plastics to paper without addressing the broader issue.\n\nProfessor Jhud Mikhail Aberilla of the University of the Philippines Diliman cautioned that the South Korean study's results may not be universally applicable across Asia, where energy, transportation, and waste management systems vary. He also pointed out that paper production requires trees, and recycling paper consumes significant energy and water.\n\nFor smaller businesses, the cost of biodegradable straws can be prohibitive. Mala Bistronome in Kuala Lumpur spends 50% more on these straws compared to conventional plastic ones. The straws are also more brittle and have a limited shelf life, adding to their cost and practicality.\n\nWhile some regions in Malaysia have banned single-use plastic straws, others have implemented green initiatives to restrict or prohibit them. However, sustainability experts argue that replacing one disposable material with another does not equate to meaningful environmental progress. Instead, they advocate for businesses to focus on reducing overall consumption and reusing materials before considering alternative disposable options.",
  "summary": "For Singaporean flight attendant Chloe Tan Zi Ling, 35, the problem with paper straws is their impracticality. “It softens before we can finish the drink, so we have to gulp it down without a straw,” she said, adding that reusable metal alternatives left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. Her frustration reflects a wider debate over Asia’s shift away from plastic straws, with a recently released…",
  "key_points": [
    "Many Asian companies replacing plastic straws with paper or biodegradable alternatives.",
    "Experts warn paper straws may shift environmental burdens without addressing broader issues."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rapidly adopting paper alternatives may merely shift environmental burdens between materials rather than achieving true sustainability, especially when corporate decisions prioritize regulatory compliance and marketing trends over scientific assessments.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}