Source: OngHutCo.com

THESE VIETNAMESE COMPOSTABLE WILD GRASS STRAWS ARE GREEN IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD

A young Vietnamese entrepreneur is making zero-waste 100% biodegradable drinking straws from grass that grows wild in the Mekong Delta.

The grass really is greener with these eco-friendly drinking straws

In a video posted on Facebook last month, Tran Minh Tien, founder of Ống Hút Cỏ, shows how a certain type of sedge grass named Lepironia articulata—prolific around the Mekong Delta in Vietnam—is converted into drinking straws. These natural straws do not contain any chemicals or preservatives. More importantly, they are 100% biodegradable. The video posted March 28 on Facebook has garnered over 3.3 million views and has been shared almost 45,000 times.

Vietnamese entrepreneur makes biodegradable straws from grass not plastic Tran Minh Tien, founder of Ống Hút Cỏ, shows how a certain type of grass prolific around the Mekong Delta in Vietnam—is converted into 100% biodegradable drinking straws, free from chemicals or preservatives. Source: Facebook/VnExpressInternational
The video details the process of how the grass is turned into food-safe straws. To make both the fresh straws and the dried straws, the grass is harvested, washed, and cut into straw-sized tubes. Then, an iron rod is used to clean the inner part of the straws, followed by one last washing.
The sedge grass has a hollow stem, so it is naturally straw shaped The video details the process of how the grass is turned into food-safe straws. To make both the fresh straws and the dried straws, the grass is harvested, washed, and cut into straw-sized tubes. Then, an iron rod is used to clean the inner part of the straws, followed by one last washing. Source: Ống Hút Cỏ.
If the batch of straws is going to be sold fresh, a bundle of 100 straws is collected and then wrapped in banana leaves.
Banana leaf wrapping, naturally! If the batch of straws is going to be sold fresh, a bundle of 100 straws is collected and then wrapped in banana leaves. Source: Ống Hút Cỏ.
If you want to make the fresh straws last even longer, the company's website suggests boiling the straws with some salt, letting dry, and then storing in a cool dry place.
The fresh straws last for about two weeks in the fridge If you want to make the fresh straws last even longer, the company’s website suggests boiling the straws with some salt, letting dry, and then storing in a cool dry place. Source: Ống Hút Cỏ.
Both kinds of grass straws are edible, and Ống Hút Cỏ says chewing them after meals can actually help clean your teeth and gums. They’re compostable, free of chemicals and preservatives, and affordable.
The point of grass straws… Both kinds of grass straws are edible, and Ống Hút Cỏ says chewing them after meals can actually help clean your teeth and gums. They’re compostable, free of chemicals and preservatives, and affordable. Source: Ống Hút Cỏ.
If the batch is going to to be sold dried, after the final washing, the straws are left out in the sun for two to three days, and then baked in an oven. This dries out the straws, and extends their shelf life to about 6 months at room temperature.
Even when dried, these straws retain their green credentials If the batch is going to to be sold dried, after the final washing, the straws are left out in the sun for two to three days, and then baked in an oven. This dries out the straws, and extends their shelf life to about 6 months at room temperature. Source: Ống Hút Cỏ.
Lepironia Articulata or “Grey Sedge” grows wild in Vietnam’s wetlands. This type of grass is perfect for straws because they have a hollow stem and are very long and straight.
Lepironia articulata is prolific around the Mekong Delta Lepironia Articulata or “Grey Sedge” grows wild in Vietnam’s wetlands. This type of grass is perfect for straws because they have a hollow stem and are very long and straight. Source: Ống Hút Cỏ.
This is a perfect example showing us that our modern conveniences don’t necessarily need to be made out of plastic.
Raise a glass to this great green product for helping to reduce plastic waste This is a perfect example showing us that our modern conveniences don’t necessarily need to be made out of plastic. Source: TruthTheory.com
Ống Hút Cỏ is experimenting with selling the dry straws to other countries.
At the moment, the straws are only being sold in Vietnam Ống Hút Cỏ is experimenting with selling the dry straws to other countries. Source: Ống Hút Cỏ.

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