Many of us have seen horrifying videos of the damage that little plastic straws can cause when they end up in the oceans. Matakana local, Adam Lane, is providing an alternative so you can enjoy your milkshake or cocktail with a straw, but without the guilt of contributing to plastic pollution.

Adam and his wife Becks have a background in hospitality, having started up Bramble cafe and currently owning the Point Wells Store. When looking for an alternative to plastic straws, it was a struggle to find one that worked well. “Paper straws will always have a place, as they are a great alternative to plastic, but they go soggy. We looked at and tried straws made of pasta, but they went soggy after time and are not gluten free, so we tried and rice straws. These are gluten free, but they still go soggy”

So, they gave straws made from hay a go: “So HAY! Straws. We tried and tested and loved them. They are all natural, gluten-free, biodegradable, straws made from straw! Perfect.”

The Hay! Straws are more sustainable, as they make use of a byproduct. They use the stem of the wheat plants from places that normally burn them. They don't go soggy in hot or cold drinks, and they won't alter the taste of your beverage either.

Cocktails and Hay!Straws available at Smiths Bar, Matakana

Straws are particularly prone to ending up in our waterways, and ultimately the oceans, due to beach littering, wind that transports the lightweight objects from rubbish cans and rubbish collection facilities, so Hay! Straws are a great new alternative.

So far, people all over New Zealand are switching to HAY! Straws: cafes, bars, restaurants, people for their baches, and gift basket companies. Here in Matakana, The Stables and Smiths are the first on board with HAY! Straws.

A small move like switching your plastic straw for a Hay! Straw can have a positive effect in the environment. As Adam says, “We all don't need to be perfect, but we all need to try and do better and be as conscious of the health of our planet as we can be.”

Hay! Straws can be bought online at www.sipstraws.co.nz or email [email protected] for wholesale pricing.