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There’s something about an iced drink with a straw that just makes summer feel right. Sitting outside with the sun on your face and a cold glass in your hand… and for me lately, that glass almost always has iced matcha in it. My current obsession. I make it at home almost every morning, and I’ve been using my little set of glass straws that I just toss in the dishwasher when I’m done. They’re easy, low maintenance, and just really satisfying to use.
But if you haven’t made the switch from plastic straws yet, this is your sign. Single-use plastic straws are one of those small everyday things that add up to a genuinely significant problem – they’re too lightweight to be recycled by most facilities, end up in waterways, and break down into microplastics over time. The luckily, swapping them out is one of the easiest sustainable switches you can make, and there are some really lovely options out there now.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types so you can figure out what suits you:
🌲 Glass: looks pretty, has no taste, dishwasher safe, and a great option for home use. The obvious caveat is that they can break, but a good quality glass straw is more durable than you’d think.
🌲 Stainless steel: basically indestructible, great for travel and on the go, and often made with recycled steel. Some people notice a slight metallic taste, which is why many come with silicone tips.
🌲 Bamboo: biodegradable and compostable, which makes them genuinely zero waste at end of life. Best hand washed rather than dishwasher.
🌲 Silicone: flexible and soft, great for kids or anyone who doesn’t love a hard straw in their mouth. Look for food-grade silicone.
Here are some of the best brands worth knowing about:
1. Jungle Culture
Handmade bamboo and stainless steel, ethically sourced
Jungle Culture (and their sister brand Jungle Straws) are probably the most thoughtfully made bamboo straws you’ll find. They’re handcrafted by local artisans at a single family-run bamboo farm in rural Vietnam, made using organic bamboo treated with nothing but water and the Vietnamese sun. No pesticides, no chemicals. The brand has personally overseen the entire supply chain, which is rare and genuinely impressive. They’re SGS certified, 100% organic, biodegradable, and compostable, so when your straw eventually reaches end of life it just goes back into the earth.
They also make a range of stainless steel straws in nature-inspired colors if you want something more durable. Jungle Culture is also a member of 1% for the Planet, pledging 1% of annual turnover to environmental causes.
Best for: Bamboo lovers, zero waste enthusiasts, dishwasher-free households
Price range: ~£5–15 GBP for sets
🌍 UK-based, ships internationally
2. Simply Straws
Handmade glass straws with a lifetime guarantee
Simply Straws was founded in California in 2012 by a dental hygienist who wanted a straw that was good for both teeth and the planet – and that origin story really shows in the product. Their straws are made from borosilicate glass (the strongest type available), handmade in California using non-toxic dyes and compostable packaging. They’re also a 1% for the Planet member and run their business on renewable energy.
The real standout is their lifetime guarantee – if your straw breaks, they’ll replace it. No questions asked. That’s a genuinely meaningful sustainability commitment: one straw for life instead of hundreds of plastic ones. Plus, they come in so many fun colors!
Best for: Glass straw fans, home use, anyone who wants something that’ll genuinely last
Price range: ~$10–20 USD for sets
🌍 US-based, ships worldwide
3. Klean Kanteen
Recycled steel, wildly durable
Klean Kanteen is a brand I mention a lot on this blog because they just consistently do things right. Their stainless steel straws are made from certified 90% post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel, come with a food-grade removable silicone tip for comfortable sipping, and are dishwasher safe. If you already use a Klean Kanteen tumbler or bottle, these are a natural pairing.
They’re not the most visually exciting straws on this list but they are some of the most durable and sustainably made. The kind of thing you buy once and never think about again.
Best for: Travel, on the go use, people who already love Klean Kanteen
Price range: ~$10–20 USD for sets
🌍 US-based, available globally including Australia
4. FinalStraw
The original collapsible straw for life on the go
FinalStraw is a bit of a legend in the sustainable product world. It raised nearly $2 million on Kickstarter and was one of the first products to make reusable straws genuinely convenient for people who are always on the move. It folds down into a tiny keychain-sized case made from recycled plastic, so you can clip it onto your bag and always have it with you. No more “I forgot my straw” moments.
It’s made from stainless steel with food-grade silicone tips, dishwasher safe, and backed by a lifetime guarantee. They’re also a 1% for the Planet member. If you spend a lot of time in cafes, restaurants, or travelling and want something truly pocket-sized, this is the one.
Best for: Travel, on-the-go use, people who keep forgetting their straw at home
Price range: ~$20–25 USD
🌍 US-based, ships internationally
5. Ever Eco
Australia’s original reusable straw brand
Ever Eco is a family-owned Australian brand that actually launched Australia’s very first stainless steel drinking straws back in 2013 — well before reusable straws were a mainstream thing. They now make straws in stainless steel, silicone, and bamboo, covering pretty much every customer preference and use case. Their stainless steel straws are made from food-grade #304 steel, come with a cleaning brush included, and are dishwasher safe. They’re also widely available in Australian supermarkets, which makes them one of the most accessible options if you’re based in Australia or New Zealand.
Best for: Australians and Kiwis, families, anyone wanting a trusted affordable option
Price range: ~$8–15 AUD for sets
🌍 Australia-based, available in supermarkets across AU and NZ
6. Koffie Straw
For the iced coffee obsessed
Koffie Straw deserves a mention specifically for anyone who drinks a lot of iced coffee or cold brew. Their straws are designed with a slightly wider diameter than standard straws, which makes them ideal for thicker drinks, and they’re made from food-grade stainless steel. They’re a smaller brand with a strong focus on the specialty coffee community, and they ship internationally.
If your summer drink of choice is an iced latte or cold brew rather than a smoothie, this is a fun niche pick worth looking into.
Best for: Iced coffee lovers, specialty coffee drinkers
Price range: ~$15–25 USD
🌍 Ships internationally
Honestly, all of these are great. If you mostly use straws at home, glass is awesome. They’re easy to clean, and they look nice on the counter. If you’re out and about a lot, stainless steel or bamboo in a little carry pouch is more practical. And if you love the idea of something that goes fully back to the earth at end of life, bamboo is your answer.
The iced matcha era is here and let’s be honest: it tastes better through a straw you actually feel good about using.
