Eco-friendly straws: New value for Vietnamese farm produce
Amid global calls to reduce plastic waste, vegetable and fruit straws in Hai Phong are paving a new path to tackle environmental pollution while boosting the value of local farm produce.
Eco-friendly and green product
At "Ga Sach Bui" coffee shop on Truc Cat Street in An Bien Ward, colorful straws made from rice starch and colorful vegetables have become more familiar. The shop uses about 500 of these straws monthly to serve customers.
Beyond vegetable straws, paper straws were once a popular plastic alternative in many countries. But users found they quickly softened. Notably, some studies have detected PFAS—persistent chemicals—in paper straws that could harm health.
Fully biodegradable vegetable straws, made from natural ingredients, are emerging as a superior choice, unlocking new potential for farm produce.
In Nghi Duong Commune, IMEXPORTER Co., Ltd. has operated a production line for rice and cassava powder straws since 2022.
Besides domestic sales, the products export to demanding European markets like Germany and the UK, which enforce strict quality and environmental standards. This proves Vietnamese farm produce can join global value chains with proper investment.
Building a stable value chain
Despite huge potential, the product faces challenges. IMEXPORTER representative say they're ramping up marketing, free trials, and subsidies to penetrate the domestic market, but local consumption remains modest. Vegetable straws cost 4-5 times more to produce than plastic ones, hindering adoption as customers have a habit that prioritizes low prices.
Besides, Raw materials aren't locally sourced. High transport and storage costs inflate prices, especially domestically.
Thus, authorities should introduce incentives and support mechanisms to help businesses develop circular economy products and engage in deep processing of farm produce, such as vegetable straws. Beyond reducing plastic waste, this approach boosts added value for the agriculture sector.
Vegetable straws signal a promising shift, turning farm produce into innovative, eco-friendly and high-value products.
Hai Phong News