Paper straws got a bad reputation as flimsy and funky-tasting, thanks in part to versions produced in China. But Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Aardvark returned to paper straw production in 2007, when demand required that they start up again (they invented the paper straw back in 1888). Not only are the products “green,” they’re also ideal to use. Much of the process behind them is secret, …
Banning plastic straws might seem brilliant, but there are a few reasons why blanket bans aren’t actually ideal. One important reality being that many people with disabilities need them—whether due to involuntary movements, muscular or swallowing issues, or various other reasons. As Karin Willison writes for The Mighty, “the straw debate has increasingly devolved into a (mostly online) battle between environmentalists and disability rights activists.” …
After a successful launch last year on Kickstarter, the “drinking straw construction game,” Linx, is finally available for purchase. The minimalistic and sustainably-made connectors consist of flat four-sided stars that fit into the ends of standard drinking straws, allowing gamers to build infinite plastic structures. The easily manipulated Linx connector points can be bent in all directions, allowing the user—regardless of age or tactile skill …
