Using Bambusa Vulgaris as replacement for expandable

Straws
Question or Problem being addressed

What are the attainable substitutes for throwaway straws?

Hypothesis/Engineering Goals

There is no significant difference between the alternative straw and expendable straw
in terms of efficiency.

Rationale

A reason why we should replace plastic straws with recyclable ones is that is the
disadvantages of plastics straws are it contributes to lip wrinkling, bloating, cavities and even teeth
staining. Using a plastic straw will increase your risk of getting germs or bacteria that can be the cause of
many health diseases or worse death. So if we use recyclable straws there will be a big change in our
health and ecosystem such as decreasing the risks of getting Lung, Nervous, kidney, chronic illnesses or
even cancer. It will also lessen bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that are very harmful to our
health. By using reusable straws like bamboo straws, hay straws and stainless metal straws the wastes in
our world will decrease by at least 0.025%. In fact throwaway straws sum up to eight point three (8.3)
billion that are thrown in shorelines and go to the oceans that affect the marine life. By changing to
reusable straws we won’t only decrease waste and pollution, we will also stop the use of plastics and use
materials that are reusable and eco-friendly. In this proposal, we will research why reusable straws should
replace throwaway ones. Using reusable straws will lessen waste and pollution in our environment

Review Related Literature

Wabii Branding’s admin (2019) stated that using reusable straws are great because they
are eco-friendly  Since reusable straws have a long life and are made of recyclable
materials, they don’t need to be produced in such huge quantities as plastic straws and also
do not contribute to environmental pollution as they can be recycled. By using these straws
like bamboo ones it helps lessen the use of plastic that are the main component of
pollution.
 According to Wanda Thompson, Bamboo drinking straws are all-natural and reusable
making them one of the easiest ways to eliminate plastic waste in your household. Bamboo
is a safe and natural alternative that doesn’t endanger marine life or pollute the
environment. If you are familiar with bamboo you may know a thing or two about its
sustainable benefits as a renewable resource: Natural and biodegradable – from the earth,
back to earth! When you decide to dispose of your bamboo products, they are
biodegradable and will return to the earth’s soil. Antibacterial and chemical-free – is grown
without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Its natural antibacterial properties make it less
resistant to rotting or carrying bacteria. Eco-friendly – bamboo produces thirty-five percent
(35%) more oxygen than trees and actually helps absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

What makes hay straws different than other eco-friendly drinking straws? As stated by
Jamil Bouchareb (2019), from biodegradable paper straws to cornstarch-based PLA straws,
there are many types of eco-friendly straws available to consumers. There are two key
distinctions that make hay straws a better option for the environment than any other
biodegradable or compostable straws. Hay straws, because they provide a use for wheat
stems that are leftover from the agricultural industry, can be manufactured without
generating any additional waste. Also, by not requiring any additional resources be farmed
and harvested during production, hay straws are a significantly more renewable and
sustainable option than other eco-friendly disposable straws.

According to Jenna Tsui (2019), Jose Cuervo (a popular tequila brand) stated that agave
straws are a sustainable alternative to plastic straws because Jose Cuervo’s design replaces
about 1/3 of the polymers used in a traditional straw with an agave based-alternative. It has
mouth-feel that’s similar to a traditional straw, and it won’t dissolve in your drink as paper
straws tend to do. Another advantage of this straw is that it’s production doesn’t cause air
pollution and respiratory illnesses, because it’s materials used in its production aren’t harsh
to the environment and is very efficient.
 But if you’re now finding a washable, reusable and very durable eco-friendly straw, then
a stainless steel straw is the one you need. A stainless steel straw is a great alternative for
plastic straws for the reason that this straw is very easy to clean, you can bring it anywhere
you go and it is eco-friendly. This straw is and very durable so you can use it for years, but
this straw is not always bright. Stainless steel straws can be bad for your teeth if you chew
it too often, it’s very tough to produce and quite expensive. But this purchase is worth it, if
you want a pleasing eco-friendly straw, then a glass straw will be your choice. The glass
straws are eco-friendly and pleasing. It is very reusable, heat-resistant and it decreases
pollution in our world. But there are many disadvantages of this straw such as its
durability, this straw is breakable that is very dangerous to people especially to children.
Another downside is that this straw is tough in producing and not many companies produce
this kind of straw.

To summarize the information, there are many possible alternatives for plastic straws that
are eco-friendly, durable and reusable. But each straw are known for its ups and downs
such as bamboo is known for the straw that is the most eco-friendly one and very reusable.
Agave straws on the other hand are sustainable straws and a help to the ecosystem.
Stainless steel straws are washable and can be brought anywhere you go, but these straws
are bad for your teeth and an expensive straw. Lastly Glass straws, these straws are
washable and eco-friendly, but the flaw about these straws are its breakable which is very
dangerous especially to children and this straw is very hard to produce so only some
companies produce this kind of straw.

Methodology

In this research proposal we will use Qualitative and Quantitative Comparative analysis,
it will interpret data qualitatively whilst looking casually between the variables. The nature of
this research is comparative; its aim is to know which reusable straw is more eco-friendly. We
will gather secondary observations and we will use descriptive data by gathering information that
will justify our approach.
Collection and Preparation

In this experimentation the materials that we’ll need are Bambusa Vulgaris straws, hay
straws, stainless steel straws, paper straws, glasses or beakers, safety equipment and a drink of
your choice.

In this experiment, the experimental units- the different types of straws will be compared
if they are eco-friendly and durable when in use in drinks. The 4 examples of reusable straws that
will act as the independent variables are hays straws, paper straws, agave straws and bamboo
straws

The comparative analysis of the straw is the dependent variable that will be observed by
its durability and reusability. The constants that will be in this experiment are the amount of
drinks, temperature and the method of observation. The experimental control will be the straws
in contact with liquids.

The data collection table will be as follow:

Eco-friendly Durability (how Organic (are the Attainability (is Low viscosity
reusable Straws long does it last?) materials used it easy to make?) ( does the water
organic?) flow easily)
Bamboo Straws
Hay Straws
Stainless Steel
straws
Agave Straws
Paper Straws

Procedures and Data Analysis

1. Prepare a Bamboo Straw

A) The Researcher will gather at least 4 bamboo stalks that will be used in the experiment

B) The Researcher will measure 15 cm on the bamboo stalks, mark it with your pencil and then
carefully cut the stalk with the handsaw.

C) The Researcher will use a drill; the researcher will go through the center of the bamboo on
both sides to remove all of the inner pith. Afterwards, the researcher will go back through with
his/her metal rod to remove excess.

D) The researcher will take a piece of course sandpaper and sand until smooth or desired to
remove rough edges and green bamboo. The researcher can of course use fine sandpaper after to
finish it nicely. 

E.) The researcher will detoxify the bamboo in a boiling salt water solution, cook and change the
water 2-3 times until the water becomes cleaner.

F) The researcher will remove the straw from the water and let them dry naturally, to finish the
straws he/she will use a little portion coconut oil, this is optional but will help them last longer.
To care for the straws, he/she will hand wash them in warm water, and use a cleaning brush or
rod. 

2.) Prepare a Stainless Steel Straw

a) The researcher will gather or buy at least 20 inches of 5/16) stainless steel round tube.
b) The researcher should get a plastic straw for a guide, and then he/she will mark the tube
for each cut.
c) The researcher then will cut the tube into two 8 inches straws. The researcher can use a
hack saw or for a cleaner cut he/she can use a grinder with cutting wheel.
d) After cutting, the researcher will use a sanding belt to clean up the rough cuts and make
the length uniform.
e) Next, after the length are uniform the researcher will soften the edged by using some 240
grit sandpaper. He/she will soften the edges until both ends are smooth enough for a great
drinking experience.
 f) Lastly, the researcher will polish the resulting straw to get the printed information off and
smooth the surface.
g) (PS: you can buy a stainless straw if you don’t want to make a stainless steel straw)

3.) Prepare a Hay Straw

A) You can buy or acquire hay straws in supermarkets or in Agricultural Supplies

(PS: I’m really sorry I can’t find a simple procedure to make a Hay drinking Straw)

4) Prepare a Paper straw

a) Gather colored papers, bee’ or candle wax and pritt sticks

b) The researcher will mark the sheets of paper along to the top and bottom to cut into 1 inch or
2.5 cm strips
c) The researcher will apply the pritt stick along one long edge of the strip leaving about one
inch glue free at one end. He/she will line up two strips side by side and will apply the pritt
stick glue to the two of them at the same time so as to have a narrow line of glue on each.
Starting at the corner opposite the glued side the researcher will position the rod at an angle
the strip and will roll the strip of paper firmly around it. Then he/she will remove the rod.
Using a pair of scissors, the researcher will trim the straw to the desired length.
d) After cutting, the researcher will melt candle wax, put in a small tube, wrap foil on it to
preserve heat, then dip the straws there using a pair of tweezers and lastly lay them down on
parchment paper to cool off.
e) Lastly, when the straws are dry the researcher will use a sharp knife to run along the length
of the cooled straws where the wax came to rest on the parchment paper. Then there you go
your own paper drinking straw.

5) Prepare glasses or beakers for the drinks

The researcher will prepare at least 4 glasses or beakers for the drinks, the researcher will
pour his/her drink of choice into the 1st beaker then to the other 3 beakers.

6) Put each different Straw into the glasses

 The researcher will put the different straws into different glasses, for example bamboo
straws into the 1st beaker and so on.

7) Taste the drink by a sip using the different straws.

The researcher will taste the drink using each different straw and observe if there are any
changes in the taste that is affected by the straw. The researcher will also check if the straws let
the liquid flow easily.

8) Leave the Straws in contact with the drinks

The researcher will leave the straw in contact with the drinks for twenty-four (24) hours
to see if there will be a change in the appearance of the straw and to know if it can still be reused.

9) Use the straw until its last use.

After the experiment the researcher will still use the straw in his/her daily until the straw
becomes unusable. This will be done to know if how long a specific reusable straw last and how
long should you use it before replacing it.

10) Gather all the straws and compare them

After all of the procedures, the researcher will gather all of the reusable straws and state
its materials used. Then he/she will compare all the straws and the materials used to make it, to
know which is straw are easier to make, more attainable and most eco-friendly amongst all of
them.

11.) Data analysis

The researcher will gather information and analyze data using Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA). The researcher will use in observing the appearance and changes in the straws is the
Chi-Squared Test.

Risk and Safety

 Before the organization of the experiment an adult or supervising teacher will settle
certain threats or dangers such as bits of bamboo getting in contact with eyes, cuts or wounds,
dangers in using tools that will be used in the experiment or any other possible hazards that can
happen in the experimentation. Safety goggles, latex gloves, lab coats and face masks will be
worn at all times during the experimentation. Dangerous wastes and hazardous disposable
materials like sharp tips will be disposed in the proper waste containers. Having a first aid kit
ready is advised during the experimentation.

Other Laboratory rules that require safety practices which will be noted are:

 Safe Handling of materials

 Frequent hand-washing
 Prohibition of food and drinks in the place of experimentation
 Avoid spills in the workplace
 Safe Handling of tools and hot thing like pots
 Always unplug electronic devices and tools when not in use
 Avoid the use of electronics like phones during the experimentation

Bibliography

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https://householdwonders.com/author/w_thompson/page/27/

Nation Well. (2019, September 12). Straws that don’t suck: the alternatives to plastic don’t stop
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Triple Pundit. (2019, December 19). Jose Cuervo to release Biodegradable Straws made from
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MMDIY. (2018, November 18). Make this: DIY stainless steel drinking straws.
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Instructables craft. (n.d.) Make Paper Straws. Retrieved June 25, 2021, from
https://www.instructables.com/Make-Paper-Straws/

Carved Culture. (2020, March 16). How to make Bamboo Straws (DIY GUIDE).
https://www.carvedculture.com/blogs/articles/how-to-make-bamboo-straws-guide

Simply Eco. (n.d.) The benefits of using metal straws. Retrieved June 29, 2021, from
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Agrifood Skills. (2019, September 23). Benefits of reusable straws.

https://www.agrifoodskills.net.au/benefits-of-reusable-straws/