Plastic Straw Bans, Consumer Perspective Part 3: Alternatives
Plastic straws have been in the news with celebrities, political leaders, and municipalities debating their use. Municipalities are banning the use of plastic straws and other plastics. Some businesses are discontinuing their use.
The City of Orlando, Florida just announced that plastic straws and Styrofoam will be banned from all city property except for special needs circumstances. Major national brands including Starbucks, Hyatt, Marriott UK, Hilton, Whole Foods, Alaska Airlines, SeaWorld, and Royal Caribbean have all announced plans to eliminate plastic straws.
We thought it would be interesting to see what consumers would use instead of plastic straws. We offered them six alternatives: would not use straws, straws made from straw, bamboo straws, paper straws, reusable glass straws, and reusable steel straws.
What we learned
Paper straws lead (30%)
More than a fourth said they would use paper straws. Baby Boomers are much more likely than others to select paper straws — in fact, one-half of them did so. Caucasians are more likely than non-Caucasians to select paper straws.
No straws at all (26%)
Almost as many said they just wouldn't use any straws. Gen X consumers are more likely to select this response than Millennials. Non-Caucasian consumers are more likely to select this response than Caucasian consumers.
Reusable steel straws (19%)
A notable share would use reusable steel straws. Millennial consumers are more likely to use steel straws — almost a third selected them.
Bamboo, glass, and straw (25% combined)
Bamboo straws were selected by 11%, reusable glass straws by 10%, and straws made from straw by just 4%. Women are more likely than men to use straw straws. Baby Boomers are less likely to use straw straws than Gen X or Millennial consumers.
What this means
Are there increased opportunities for manufacturers of paper straws? Should manufacturers take note of the Millennial preferences — nearly a third expect to use reusable steel straws? Is this a real opportunity or will perceptions change with usage?