The era of the paper straw could be coming to an end, at least on the state level.

Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley filed legislation (SB 958) that would require local governments in the Sunshine State to “amend any such rule, regulation or ordinance in effect as of the effective date of this act which does not permit the sale or use of drinking straws and stirrers that are renewable, home compostable certified, industrial compostable certified, or marine biodegradable to permit the sale or use of renewable, home compostable certified, industrial compostable certified and marine biodegradable drinking straws and stirrers.”

In layman’s terms, Florida localities can no longer have legislation in place mandating paper straws in places like restaurants or bars.

The logic behind Sen. Bradley’s legislation is not merely preference, though she’d be supported by the president, who signed an executive order at the beginning of his second term to “end the forced use of paper straws” and “bring back common sense.” Both Sen. Bradley and President Trump’s rationale centered, at least ostensibly, around the issue of PFAS chemicals, which have been found in paper and bamboo straws during recent studies.

NBC News, citing a 2023 study, reported that PFAS chemicals were detected in 18 out of 20 paper straw brands tested. Four out of five bamboo straws tested in the study contained PFAS. It’s worth noting, however, that three out of four plastic straws and two out of five glass straws tested positive for PFAS. The only tested material in this study that came up PFAS-free was stainless steel.

The Promo Takeaway

Should the legislation in Florida pass, and perhaps in the event that other states follow suit, it could create increased demand for reusable straws made from materials like silicone and stainless steel.

In 2019, as we were still in the advent of alternative straw materials, reusable straws were named ASI’s promo item of the year. At that time, year-over-year searches for the term “reusable straws” were up 402% on ASI’s ESP platform. Searches for “stainless-steel straws” were up 294%, and simply “straw” was up 271%, indicating overwhelming demand from promotional products distributors at the time looking for more environmental alternatives for drinking.

With the continued popularity of drinkware products like Stanley tumblers and other trendy pieces aided by social media influence, reusable straws made from silicone and stainless steel could become must-have accessories.

Alternatives for Customers

The Florida legislation, as it currently stands, would require affected areas to “also include certified compostable and degradable straws,” meaning that it wouldn’t simply go back to regular plastic straws, but seek better alternatives for the environment while limiting potential exposure to PFAS in drinking straws.

“If you’re really concerned about the environment and really concerned about making better decisions, I want to empower local governments to do that,” Florida Rep. Omar Blanco, a co-sponsor of the Florida House’s version of the bill, said, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. “There’s a responsibility on both ends, and we have to work collectively.”

According to the legislation, recyclable straws would need to meet the requirements of the USDA BioPreferred Program “with biobased content of at least 80%; or the TUV Austria OK biobased program with a 4-star rating.”

If the bill passes, cities like Miami Beach, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, which all have single-use plastic straw bans in place, would need to change their local ordinances by Jan. 1, 2027.