Vietnamese Man Makes Biodegradable Straws From Wild Grass To Solve The World’s Plastic Problem

Plastic

Plastic is one of our most significant environmental threats today. Plastic is not biodegradable, which means that is will be around for a long time after you use it that it will begin to break down. Each year, over 8 million tons of plastic finds its way into the oceans. It has caused serious damage to our oceans and our planet. It has also been difficult for our sea life. To help you understand the severity of the problem, a deep sea mission set off to explore the deepest part of the world that had never been seen by humans before. When they got down there, they found a plastic bag. How a plastic bag got to the deepest part of the ocean baffled the researchers.

Taking Steps

We have finally started to learn about the harm that plastic is causing the environment. Many people recycle their plastic goods, which turns discarded products into other items. There are many communities who are banning plastic shopping bags. Those who don’t ask that their customers return the bags to the store for recycling. We are trying, but it still isn’t enough.

Plastic Straws

One of the major culprits when it comes to plastic is plastic straws. In the United States alone, over 500 million plastic straws are used and thrown away every day. Straws are not biodegradable, which makes them a treat to the environment, wildlife, and sea life. When the straws eventually do breakdown, they will release harmful toxins that can pollute the environment. Many people are beginning to understand the dangers of plastic straws, and one man is trying to change things.

Everyone’s Problem

Unfortunately, people have a poor attitude when it comes to recycling and saving the planet. Many people think that they don’t have to do anything because someone else will. This is a very irresponsible way of thinking, but it happens all the time. It is also known as the bystander effect. Everyone is sure that someone else will do something, so they do nothing.

Tran Minh Tien

Tran Minh Tien is a Vietnamese man who understands the dangers of plastic straws. He is the owner of a company called Ong Hut Co. He understands that many people like to drink with straws; therefore, they aren’t going to stop. He decided to invent a drinking straw that is all natural and biodegradable. This Vietnamese man makes biodegradable straws from wild grass to solve the world’s plastic problem.

The Straws

Tran is making straws out of a type of grass called Lepironia articulata. First, he collects the hollow stems of the grass. After they are washed thoroughly, they are cut into 20-centimeter long pieces. To clean out the inside, the stems are cleaned with a metal rod. Once the insides are thoroughly cleaned out, they are bundled together and then wrapped in banana leaves. This is how they are shipped out to their customers.

Shelf Life

Since the straws are all natural, they do have a shelf life. The straws can be purchased either fresh or dried. If you buy them fresh, they will last at room temperature for about a week. If you put them in the refrigerator, they will last for up to two weeks. The dried ones last much longer. If you buy your straws dried, they will last for up to six months. You can use each straw multiple times. Fortunately, these straws are inexpensive to purchase. A dried straw costs 4.3 cents each, and a fresh one costs 2.6 cents each. They may be a bit more expensive than plastic straws, but they are much better for the environment. Unfortunately, the straws are only available in Vietnam.

Proving Popular

Tran uses Facebook to promote his straws. One of his Facebook posts about his straws has been viewed over 2.1 million times. It has also been shared over 35,000 times. People from all over the world are interested in Tran and his straws. If he is able to sell his items in areas all around the world, he could have a lot to do with saving our planet.

Making a Difference

If you want to make a difference in the world, send Tran a message. Let him know that you want him to start selling his straws all around the world. If he sees that his straws are in high demand, you could have access to them in other parts of the world.

Solving the Problem

The problem of pollution isn’t going to save itself. If you want to make a difference in the world, you need to make a change the way that Tran did. You ever know, you could be responsible for changing the world.