Paper straws had higher environmental impacts than conventional plastic straws in several categories, a South Korean government-commissioned study found. The assessment measured potential effects across the products’ life cycles, not the direct health risk of using a straw.

Paper straws and life-cycle impacts

The study found that paper straws had 6.33 times the carcinogenic impact and 2.04 times the acidification impact of conventional plastic straws. The carcinogenic measure reflects potential cancer-related risks from emissions during stages such as raw-material processing and disposal; it does not measure a drinker’s direct exposure.

Acidification measures the potential for emissions to increase environmental acidity, which can harm ecosystems. The assessment was commissioned by South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and revealed by opposition People Power Party lawmaker Kim Wi-sang.

How other materials compared

Researchers assessed conventional plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic and bio-based polythene straws across 16 environmental impact categories. Biodegradable plastic straws recorded 3.34 times the carcinogenic impact and 1.98 times the acidification impact of conventional plastic straws.

Conventional plastic had the lowest impact in 10 of the 16 categories, including climate change, human toxicity, particulate matter and acidification. The results therefore vary by the environmental measure being assessed.

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