Is Glass Straw Good for Your Business?

Thinking about switch to a new reusable straw and join sustainable movement? Glass straw is on the list to think about! Let’s enter the glass straw world today with our today article.

What Is Glass Straw Made Of?

Glass straw is a type of straw, that is made from glass. This is a sustainable, reusable straws that is used to replace plastic straw. Glass straw serve the same purpose as a regular straw, allowing user to sip fluids without touching the cup.

When it comes to glass straw, borosilicate glass is the most common choice. This type of glass is known for its durability and resistance to thermal shock.

Borosilicate glass is composed of silica ad boron oxide. It has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, helping it withstand changes in temperature without breaking or shattering.

Advantages and disadvantages of metal straws

Classification of Glass Straw

Classified by sizes

To serve different types of drinks, there are several sizes of glass straw. Following are the most common sizes of glass straw.

Accord to Length:

• Short: 6" - 7" - Suitable for tumblers, mugs, and short glasses.
• Standard: 8" - 9" - Perfect for most cups and glasses, offering comfortable sipping without being too long.
• Long: 10" - 12" - Ideal for taller glasses, travel mugs, and iced coffee cup

Accord to Width:

• When discussing about the width of glass straws, it’s important to notice about the outer and inner diameter.
• Outer Diameter: This refers to the total width of the straw, including the glass walls. This is the measurement you'll usually see listed in product descriptions.

Inner Diameter: This is the diameter of the opening inside the straw, where your drink actually passes through. It's typically slightly smaller than the outer diameter, but the difference can vary depending on the thickness of the glass walls.

Here is a table summarizing the diameter of glass straw:

Outer Diameter (mm)	Inner Diameter (mm)	Suitable for
6-7	5-6	Thin drinks like tea, wine
8-10	7-8	Standard drinks like water, juice, iced coffee
12-14	9-11	Thick drinks like smoothies, milkshakes, bubble tea

Classified by Shapes

There are two main types of glass straw: bends and straight.

• Bends: some straws come with bends at the top, making them easier to use in certain types of cups or for angled sipping.
• Straight: this type of straw help sipping easier and faster.

Classifed by Designs

Depending on purpose and preference, plain or decorative choices are available to choose. Each of them has its own advantages.

• Plain design: this design is the best for every day and travel uses.
• Decorative design: this choice is better for special occasions, events, or restaurant’s theme.

What Are Features of Glass Straw?

Made from glass, here are the outstanding features of glass straw:

• Transparency: Glass straws are transparent, allowing you to see the contents of your drink. This can be aesthetically pleasing and can also help you to monitor your intake of sugary or colored drinks.
• Smoothness: Glass straws are smooth, which makes them pleasant to drink from. They are also less likely to scratch your teeth or gums than plastic straws.
• Brittleness: Glass straws are brittle, which means that they can break if they are dropped or hit against a hard surface. This is one of the main drawbacks of using glass straws.
• Weight: Glass straws are heavier than plastic straws. This can make them feel a bit awkward to use at first, but most people get used to it quickly.
• Heat resistance: Borosilicate glass straws are heat resistant, which means that they can withstand hot beverages. It can withstand temperatures up to 500°F (260°C) without cracking or warping
• Chemical resistance: Glass straws are resistant to most chemicals, which means that they can be used with acidic or alcoholic drinks. However, it is important to avoid using them with bleach or other strong chemicals.

What Types of Drinks Can Be Used with Glass Straw?

Are Glass Straw Safe for Hot Drinks?

As mentioned above, borosilicate glass that make glass straw, can withstand temperature changes, that makes it not easy to break or shatter. Therefore, glass straws can be used with a wide range of drinks, here are some of the most suitable types:

• Water: The classic choice! Glass straws won't impart any flavors or affect the taste of pure water.
• Juices and Smoothies: The smooth surface of glass is gentle on teeth and gums, and the wider diameters (12mm+) work well for thicker drinks.
• Iced Coffee and Tea: Glass insulates your teeth from the cold, and the transparency lets you admire the beautiful colors of your iced beverages.
• Cocktails and Mocktails: Add a touch of elegance to your mixed drinks with sleek glass straws.
• Hot Beverages: Borosilicate glass is perfect for hot coffee, tea, and even hot chocolate! Just remember to cool them down slightly before sipping to avoid burns.

What Can’t Be Used with Glass Straws?

Due to durability and heat resistance, glass straws can serve many types of drinks including hot and cold drinks. However there some exceptions as following:

• Burning hot liquids: Let your drink cool down slightly before using a glass straw.
• Frozen drinks with large ice chunks: The ice might put stress on the glass and increase breakage risk.
• Highly abrasive materials: Avoid using your glass straw with powders or ingredients that could scratch the surface.

What Are Pros and Cons of Glass Straw?

Benefits of Glass Straw

Glass straws offer a multitude of benefits compared to their plastic:

• Eco-friendly: They're reusable and eliminate the need for disposable plastic straws, reducing plastic waste and its associated environmental impact.
• Durable: Borosilicate glass, the most common material, is highly durable and can withstand hot liquids, drops, and dishwasher cycles.
• Safe and healthy: They're non-toxic and BPA-free, so no harmful chemicals leach into your drinks. Plus, they're gentler on your teeth and gums than plastic straws.
• Heat resistant: Borosilicate glass can handle hot beverages without melting or warping, making them perfect for coffee, tea, and even hot soup.
• Taste-neutral: Glass doesn't impart any flavor or odor to your drinks, allowing you to enjoy their pure taste.
• Elegant and stylish: Glass straws add a touch of sophistication and class to your drinkware.
• Hygienic: They're easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, minimizing the risk of bacteria growth.

For business, glass straw offers also different benefits including:

• Cost savings: While there's an initial investment, reusable glass straws eliminate the need for purchasing disposable plastic straws in the long run, leading to significant cost savings.
• Reduced waste disposal fees: Businesses often pay fees for waste disposal, and switching to glass straws can help lower these costs.
• Increased customer loyalty: Customers appreciate eco-friendly choices, and using glass straws can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Enhanced presentation: Glass straws add a touch of elegance and sophistication to drinkware, elevating the overall customer experience.
• Improved taste: Glass is taste-neutral, allowing customers to savor the pure taste of their beverages without any metallic interference.
• Differentiation: Using glass straws helps your business stand out from competitors who offer plastic straws.
• Positive perception: Customers increasingly value eco-conscious companies, and using glass straws showcases your commitment to environmental responsibility, enhancing your brand image.
• Improved public relations: Switching to glass straws can generate positive media attention and boost your brand's reputation.

Disadvantages of Glass Straw

While offering significant advantages, glass straws also have some drawbacks:

• Brittle: Although durable, they can still break if dropped or knocked against a hard surface.
• Heavier than plastic: They might feel slightly heavier in your hand compared to plastic straws.
• Not suitable for all drinks: Highly acidic drinks like citrus juices can etch the glass over time, and carbonated drinks might create pressure causing cracks.
• Potentially more expensive: High-quality glass straws can be more expensive than disposable plastic ones.

Are Glass Straws Good for the Environment?

To see more how glass straw is an eco-friendly choice, here is a table comparing glass straw vs plastic straw:

Factor	Glass Straw	Plastic Straw
Material	Borosilicate glass (often recycled)	Polypropylene (typically virgin)
Durability	Highly durable, reusable for years	Single-use, often discarded after one use
Production	Energy-intensive, but can be offset by recycled materials	Less energy-intensive, but relies on virgin resources
Waste	Minimal waste, recyclable at end of life	Massive waste generation, pollutes landfills and oceans
Chemical leaching	No BPA or other harmful chemicals	May leach BPA and other chemicals into drinks
Heat resistance	High, can handle hot beverages	Low, melts or warps at high temperatures
Suitability for different drinks	Most beverages except highly acidic or carbonated	All beverages, but not ideal for hot drinks

As a result, glass straws are a much eco-friendlier choice than plastic straws for several reasons:

• Reduced plastic waste: By choosing reusable glass straws, you can significantly reduce your contribution to plastic pollution. Millions of plastic straws are used and discarded daily, polluting oceans, landfills, and harming wildlife.
• Sustainable materials: Borosilicate glass is often made from recycled materials and can be recycled itself at the end of its life.
• Durable and long-lasting: Unlike plastic straws, which are meant for single use, glass straws can be used for years, reducing the need for constant replacements.
• Reduced manufacturing impact: Producing glass straws requires less energy and resources compared to plastic straws, lowering their overall environmental footprint.

Are Glass or Stainless-Steel Straws Better?

To decide which is better, here is a table comparing the glass vs stainless steel straw.

Factor	Glass Straw	Stainless Steel Straw
Material	Borosilicate glass (often recycled)	Stainless steel (typically virgin)
Durability	Highly durable, but can break if dropped	Virtually indestructible
Weight	Heavier than plastic	Lighter than glass
Suitability for drinks	Most beverages except highly acidic or carbonated	All beverages
Heat resistance	High, can handle hot beverages	Can transfer heat from hot beverages
Taste	Neutral	Some may find a metallic taste
Smoothness	Smooth, gentle on teeth and gums	Can feel slightly rough
Sustainability	Highly sustainable, reusable, recyclable	More sustainable than plastic, but relies on virgin resources
Cost	Higher initial cost, but cheaper over long term	Lower initial cost, but may require more frequent replacement
Style	Elegant, sophisticated look	Wide variety of colors and styles

As the table, each type of the straw has its own pros and cons. While glass straw is the best for sustainability, good for drinks but can be break and potentially more expensive. Stainless Steel straw is ideal for all of drinks, plus it’s durable, lightweight, affordable. However, it can have metallic taste, transfer heat and feel rough.

Therefore, to determine which is better, it depend on purpose and priorities, for example:

• For eco-friendliness and aesthetics: glass straw is better.
• For durability and versatility: stainless straw is better.
• For better taste: glass straw is better.
• For cost-effectiveness: stainless straw is better.

Which Type of Food Business Should Choose Glass Straw?

Here are the restaurants that can use glass straw:

• Dine in restaurants and coffee shops: glass straw suitable with all type of drinks, so it can be a very useful tool for dine in purpose.
• Bars and nightclubs: Stylish glass straws elevate the presentation of signature cocktails and differentiate your establishment from competitors offering plastic.
• Tea rooms: glass straw can enhance the traditional tea-drinking experience and add a touch of elegance to tea service.
• Juice Bars: glass is taste-neutral, allowing customers to savor the pure taste of fresh juices and smoothies without any metallic interference.

What Need to Know When Using Glass Straws

How to Clean Glass Straw

Here is a short guide for cleaning glass straw:

• Dishwasher: Place them in the utensil rack for safe and convenient cleaning.
• Hand-washing: Use warm soapy water and a long, thin brush to reach inside the straw.
• Stubborn stains: Soak in baking soda and vinegar solution for 30 minutes before washing.
• Rinse thoroughly: Ensure all soap residue is removed before reuse.
• Drying: Air dry completely to prevent mold or bacteria growth.

Can Glass Straw Go in Dishwasher?

Most glass straws are dishwasher-safe! However, follow these precautions:

• Place them in the utensil rack, away from other utensils, to minimize the risk of scratching or breakage.
• Use a gentle detergent cycle to avoid harsh chemicals.
• Remove and air dry them completely after washing.

How Easily Glass Straw Break?

Glass straws are sturdy but not unbreakable. It can be broken by these reasons, for example:

• Dropped from a height onto a hard surface.
• Knocked against sharp objects.
• Stressed by cold temperatures and hot drinks in quick succession.

Factors influencing breakage:

• Thickness: Thicker straws are generally more resistant to breakage.
• Material quality: Borosilicate glass is stronger than other types of glass.
• Handling: Treat them with care to minimize the risk of accidents.

Tips for minimizing breakage:

• Choose thicker straws, especially for heavier drinks.
• Handle them carefully, particularly when washing and storing.
• Consider softer silicone tips for added protection against chipping.

In short, glass straw is a wonderful tool to replace plastic straw for business to apply. But still, it has some disadvantages and considerations of cost and use. Business should carefully think and consider before switching to this type of straw. At Kimecopak, we offer bio straws that can replace plastic straw including disposable and reusable one. They are made from various materials including bamboo, sugarcane or plant-based material. For more information, please contact us via email halo@kimecopak.ca or our Facebook Fanpage.