Unistraw Resource Hub

Unistraw commenced the transition to compostable polymers for straws and filters at the start of 2018. In 2018 the only viable plant sourced and compostable polymer option was Poly Lactic Acid (PLA). Unistraw manufactured straws using PLA from 2019 to 2023. During this time we found this polymer to be very difficult to work with and extremely sensitive to relatively low temperatures. The deformation temperature for PLA is about 55°C. This meant our straws easily distorted during shipment or if someone left a straw in their car.

In 2023, Unistraw commenced development work with cellulose Acetate straws. In 2024 Unistraw has adopted cellulose acetate as its standard straw material. Cellulose acetate is a plant sourced and home compostable polymer. Cellulose acetate has a history being used for polymers such as camera films and movie projection films. Even though these technologies essentially became outdated in the early 2000s, the knowledge and ability to manufacture and develop cellulose acetate films to meet specific objectives has remained. The materials we use in our straws was developed in the United States by one of the companies who has over 100 years of history in working with plant sourced and compostable polymers.