Metal straws: Beware of germ formation and risk of injury!

Water can only penetrate up to 5 cm inside the straws in the dishwasher, so the middle part hardly gets cleaned. Plus, the method of production means that the inside of metal drinking straws can't be polished as smoothly as the outside. These parts remain rough in places and, when inspected under a microscope, have an uneven surface. As a result, beverage residues accumulate in these uneven areas over time: fertile soil for germs and bacteria.

The problem is made even worse by the fact that, in the case of stainless steel and in contrast to transparent materials such as glass or plastic, it's not possible to check cleanliness visually.

Another cause for concern is the poor ecological footprint of stainless steel drinking straws, since producing and treating stainless steel generates an enormous amount of CO2 and consumes a great deal of energy. Steel production accounts for around 5% of global CO2 emissions.

Plus, it can only be recycled at special plants.

In addition, metal drinking straws can leave a strange aftertaste and have an unpleasant sensation on the teeth.

A further disadvantage is the risk of injury due to their sharp metallic shape, especially for children. 

Not tasteless

High CO2 and
Resource consumption

Not recyclable and not compostable!

Cleaning only with brush!
Residues are difficult to remove

Not hygienic!
Deposits inside

Advantages

• Reusable
• Good-looking
• Reusable

Disadvantages

• Thorough cleaning only possible manually using a brush
• Producing and treating stainless steel consumes a lot of energy and causes high CO2 emissions (steel processing accounts for 5% of all CO2 emissions worldwide)
• Cleanliness cannot be checked visually.
• Dirt deposits on the inside after long-term use
• Not tasteless; can leave a metallic aftertaste and has an unpleasant feeling in the mouth and especially on the teeth
• The thin but hard edge of the mouthpiece poses an increased safety risk: metal drinking straws are not suitable for events, public places, and children
• Cannot be recycled easily; requires special recycling systems

Balance

Not a clean solution.

The better alternative:

Sliderstraw

Hygienic yet reusable

There is one smart solution to enjoy drinking with reusable straws, both in your own home and in the catering industry: SLIDERSTRAW can be opened up and can be cleaned properly in the dishwasher. It is tasteless, safe, and suitable for both hot and cold drinks.

Buy Sliderstraw