How Many Times Do You Need to Reuse a Silicone Straw?
Frequently asked questions
How many times can you reuse a silicone straw?
A good quality silicone straw is designed to be used again and again. There isn't a fixed number of uses at which it suddenly needs replacing. How long it lasts will depend on the quality of the silicone, how it is used and how it is cared for.
Our University of Leeds research looked at a slightly different question. It investigated how many uses it takes for reusable straws to become cost competitive with paper. In the study, the average silicone straw reached economic break even with the average paper straw at around 37 uses. See one of our older Blogs "Are Paper Straws Good Or Bad" for a general overview
Does that mean a silicone straw is better for the environment after 37 uses?
No. This is an important distinction.
The 37 use figure relates to cost, not environmental impact. Environmental comparisons need to consider manufacturing, transport, washing, energy use and how long the product is actually kept and reused.
There isn't one universal number that tells us exactly when every reusable straw becomes environmentally better than every disposable alternative.
Are reusable straws cheaper than paper straws?
They can be, if they are reused enough.
Paper straws usually cost much less to buy individually, but another straw is needed each time. With a reusable straw, the initial purchase price is spread across every use.
The University of Leeds study found that, across the products it analysed, continued reuse substantially reduced the cost per use of reusable straws.
Is silicone better than metal or glass for reusable straws?
There isn't one material that is best for everybody.
Metal is extremely durable. Glass allows you to see inside the straw when cleaning it. Silicone is soft, flexible and comfortable against the teeth.
The research also gave us another way of looking at the question. Rather than simply asking which material is best, it may be more useful to ask which straw you are actually going to keep and use regularly.
Want to read more about the types of reusuable straws? Check out our blog The Best Reusable Straws in the UK
How do I make sure I actually reuse my straw?
Make it easy.
Keep your clean straw somewhere you are likely to need it. A travel tin means it can stay in your handbag, lunch bag or car rather than being left at home.
Clean it after use with hot soapy water and a cleaning brush, or put it in the dishwasher if the manufacturer says it is dishwasher safe.
It sounds simple, but that routine matters. A reusable product only really fulfils its purpose when it gets reused.
For more about reusable straw safety Are Silicone Straws Safe?
About the research
The research discussed in this article was undertaken as a University of Leeds student dissertation commissioned by The Silicone Straw Company.
The study analysed 100 drinking straw products available to UK consumers, including paper, silicone, stainless steel and glass straws. It examined cost per use and considered existing research around environmental impact and consumer behaviour.
The study found that reuse frequency was an important driver of economic competitiveness. It also highlighted something we think is often lost in conversations about sustainable products. The environmental performance of a reusable product cannot be determined by its material alone.
We will be sharing more of what we learned from the research over the coming months, including some of the findings that challenged our own assumptions.
