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The plastic straw is slowly disappearing from Kolkata’s café tables, but what’s replacing it is sparking its own debate. Paper straws turn soggy, metal ones feel uncomfortable, glass doesn’t quite work as its too fragile, and bamboo is still catching on. However, one thing’s for sure – each option comes with a compromise. While the move towards sustainability is non-negotiable, the act of sipping a drink has changed significantly over time. Some customers welcome the shift, but others say it affects ease and taste, leaving people divided over whether the experience is worth the trade-off.


The bamboo bet
Among the alternatives, bamboo is emerging as the option cafés are willing to work harder for, despite challenges. It balances sustainability with experience, though scepticism remains. “Bamboo is the sturdiest, prettiest and cleanest. Customers don’t always feel it’s clean or conventional, but when we explain the process, they understand,” says Prateek Kayan from Motherland. At Pico, Prateek Didwania says bamboo feels natural, but “logistics is a challenge as they are not always readily available.”

The great straw divide
The city’s café crowd is in splits when it comes to the humble straw, reflecting a pull between sustainability and experience. Some customers are willing to adapt, while others prioritise comfort. “Unfortunately not many care about sustainability. It’s sad but true. However, the perception is changing gradually. We are happy to see customers making an effort and requesting for no cutlery and straws on online food delivery platforms,” says Natasha Suri, co-founder, Colab. “We only provide straws on request, and our guests have now become accustomed to it,” adds Prateek Kayan.

The durability dilemma
Longevity and usability remain key concerns with reusable options. “While responses were initially varied, improved quality has led to a more positive reception. The primary concern is longevity, as paper straws soften over extended use,” says Rajesh Singh, national head of Flurys. Vikram Khinwasara of The Yellow Straw adds that the grip can soften over time and affect thicker beverages like shakes. Echoing this, Esha Sen, a student, says such straws can affect the overall drinking experience. For many, this slightly disrupts the ease and comfort of sipping over time.

The bamboo bet
Among the alternatives, bamboo is emerging as the option cafés are willing to work harder for, despite challenges. It balances sustainability with experience, though scepticism remains. “Bamboo is the sturdiest, prettiest and cleanest. Customers don’t always feel it’s clean or conventional, but when we explain the process, they understand,” says Prateek Kayan from Motherland. At Pico, Prateek Didwania says bamboo feels natural, but “logistics is a challenge as they are not always readily available.”

Where reusables fall short
Reusable straws made of metal and glass face a different hurdle. Though durable and sustainable, they are yet to gain trust. “We’ve seen a concern related to hygiene, though it has not been a complaint if the query is addressed,” says Jastej Singh of Artsy - Coffee & Culture. That caveat matters. “We tried glass straws, but customers complained of hygiene issues and we discontinued them,” says Grant Walsh, founder of 8th Day Cafe and Bakery, adding, “Customers are generally unsatisfied with how quickly paper products break down, while glass is viewed as unhygienic.” There’s also an operational side customers don’t always see. “Maintaining metal straws are a hassle. They need proper sterilisation after every use,” says Prateek Didwania of Pico - Pizzeria & Coffee Bar. For high-turnover cafés, maintaining that level of hygiene is challenging, with added concerns around cost and storage.

Reusable straws sound great in theory, but in a busy café setting, I am not fully convinced about its sterilisation process. I’d rather just skip the straw than keep thinking about it
– Priya Sharma, teacher

Bamboo straws feel sustainable, but they don’t always seem hygienic. There’s a lingering worry they might carry bacteria if not cleaned properly, which makes the experience slightly uncomfortable – Payal Sen, student

I get the idea behind reusable straws, but I’m often unsure about hygiene, especially with bamboo or metal. You can’t tell how thoroughly they’ve been cleaned, and it ruins the drink – Prateek Singhal, student