REUSABLE STRAWS COMPARED
“[…] We chose glass because the quality is simply better. The mouthfeel when drinking is far more pleasant with glass straws than with metal straws.”
Peter Gebhardt, Head of Kitchen and Service, Mercure Hotel Berlin City
Reusable straws as an alternative to plastic straws come in all kinds of materials. As plastic straws have been banned across the EU since July 2021, every business needs a suitable alternative. But what really is best for your bar, restaurant, café or hotel?
| Material | Taste neutrality | Reusability | Pleasant to drink from | Guest acceptance | Hygiene | Environmental friendliness | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HALM glass straws | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ★★★★★ |
| Metal | ✗ | ✓ | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | ✓ | ★★★★★ |
| Paper | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ◯ | ✓ | ✗ | ★★★★★ |
| Grain | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ◯ | ✓ | ✗ | ★★★★★ |
| Pasta | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ★★★★★ |
Choosing can be difficult. That is why we have put together all the key criteria for hospitality, so you can make the best choice.
Glass straw
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
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Metal straw
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
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Bamboo straw
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
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Silicone straw
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
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Hard plastic straw
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
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Why you should choose HALM glass straws
There are many different alternatives on the market. As a general rule, you should favour reusable options. Single-use items are not an option because of their constant consumption of resources. They also rule themselves out because they cost up to €5,000 more per year than reusable alternatives. Our cost comparison shows why.
More about saving costs with HALM glass straws
But reusable straws often have drawbacks in terms of hygiene and taste too: with metal, bamboo, hard plastic or silicone straws you cannot tell at a glance whether they are clean. Metal conducts heat, silicone attracts dust, bamboo is not HACCP-compliant and hard plastic is not environmentally friendly.
For hospitality, glass straws are therefore the best solution, provided they are of good quality, in other words sturdy and recyclable. They are taste-neutral, do not conduct heat and are extremely easy to clean in the dishwasher. Their transparency also makes them elegant and attractive.
This overview shows why HALM glass straws in particular stand out from other glass straws:
| HALM glass straw | Other glass straws | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality |
Extremely sturdy thanks to wall thickness and controlled glass processing 100% pure glass Rounded, soft mouthfeel Standardised, consistent quality |
Higher risk of breakage due to thinner walls and a shortened manufacturing process In some cases not 100% pure Sharp edges Inferior and inconsistent quality |
| Certification | Certificates confirm food safety compliance and strength |
Usually none available |
| Origin | 100% made in Germany |
Mostly from the Far East |
| Material |
Soda-lime glass from our own production 100% recyclable |
Borosilicate glass Cannot be recycled with waste glass |
| Customisation | Custom engraving available |
Usually not offered |
| Brand image | Established brand with a positive image |
Brands with barely any recognition |
Conclusion
The result is clear: HALM comes out as the clear winner. Compared with other materials and other glass straws, HALM is more hygienic, more environmentally friendly and, above all, better suited to hospitality. That is why thousands of hospitality businesses already rely on HALM.
Choose HALM too!