Paper Straws May Carry a Bigger Environmental Cost Than Plastic

WHO:

Fox News - A South Korean government-commissioned assessment evaluated paper and plastic straws.

Newser - A lawmaker who unveiled the research advocated government policies to reduce disposable products.

Newser - Researchers said cafes, restaurants, and other venues should provide disposable straws only on request.

WHAT:

Fox News - The assessment found paper straws scored 6.33 times higher than plastic straws on a cancer-related environmental measure.

Newser - Paper straws scored more than six times higher than plastic straws on a measure of cancer-related environmental impact, and roughly twice as high on acidification, according to the Korea Herald.

Newser - Bio-based polyethylene (Bio-PE) straws had more than 16 times the carcinogenic impact of conventional plastic straws.

Newser - In an assessment of 16 impact categories, conventional plastic straws had the lowest impact in 10, including climate change and human toxicity.

Newser - Bio-PE straws had the greatest impact in 10 categories; paper and biodegradable plastic straws led in other categories.

Newser - Researchers said all types of straws are difficult to recycle.

Newser - The lawmaker argued for a government “shift toward substantive reduction policies that cut the use of disposable products,” rather than an outright ban on plastic straws.

Newser - Packaging Insights said the figures “measure potential emission-based risks across the entire manufacturing and disposal chain rather than direct health risks to consumers during everyday use.”

Newser - The South China Morning Post reported that various parts of the world have banned single-use plastic straws.

WHERE:

Fox News - The life-cycle assessment was commissioned by the South Korean government.

Newser - The study was conducted in South Korea.

WHY:

Newser - Researchers recommended providing straws only on request because all types are difficult to recycle.

Newser - The lawmaker favored reducing disposable-product use instead of banning plastic straws outright.

HOW:

Fox News - The assessment compared straws using a life-cycle analysis.

Newser - The analysis evaluated potential emission-based risks across the manufacturing and disposal chain.

(UPDATED October 31, 2026 22:58 UTC)

A South Korean assessment found paper straws scored over six times higher than plastic on cancer-related impact. Bio-based plastic straws also scored higher, while conventional plastic had lower impacts in most categories. Researchers urged venues to provide straws only on request, since all straws are difficult to recycle.