Environment

New straw is reusable, "chewable" and spin-dryable

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The Chew straw is a reusable straw with a silicone "chewable" tip
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw pulls apart into two pieces and slides into the carry case
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw is, strangely enough, marketed as being "chewable"
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw packs away into the carry case
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw's carry case lid can cut open lids of drinks
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw comes with the straw, case, a few silicone tips and a cleaning brush
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw is a reusable straw with a silicone "chewable" tip
Chew Inc.
The chew straw is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, where pledges start at US$17
Chew Inc.
A size comparison of the Chew straw
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw is designed to be pocket-sized
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw went through several different prototypes
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw comes with several different silicone tips, each with a different texture
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw case has a ring on the end, which allows it to be spun around to dry out the straw
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw can be cleaned with the included scrubbing brush
Chew Inc.
The team behind the Chew straw, from left Tommy Cheong, Kevin Yeo, Lim Jing Jie
Chew Inc.
The Chew straw carry case has holes at the end for drainage
Chew Inc.
View gallery - 15 images

The drinking straw seems pretty simple and unassuming, but it's contributing to one of the most pressing environmental problems today. With millions of them used and discarded every day in the US alone, it's no wonder the little plastic pipes are piling up in the oceans. To help cut back on that, a start-up in Singapore is getting ready to launch the Chew, a reusable straw with a "chewable" rubber tip and a spin-dry mechanism.

Like some other reusable straws, the Chew is made of aluminum, but since that's not the nicest feeling on your lips or teeth, the tips are made of a soft food-grade silicone and come in four different patterns. The company apparently sees the rigidity of other reusable straws as a major barrier to straw-chewers everywhere, so is highlighting the chewability of these silicone tips as a major selling point.

The chew straw is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, where pledges start at US$17
Chew Inc.

Once your drinking is done, the Chew straw pulls apart into two pieces, and slides into a plastic carry case. That case has a "ring" at one end, for the sole purpose of being able to spin the thing on your finger. The idea there is to dry the straw off using centrifugal force, so it's ready to go several times during the day. For a more thorough clean, the team says the Chew straw should be rinsed out, and scrubbed with the included brush.

If you're not sure if you can be bothered switching over to bringing your own straw, you might not have a choice for much longer. Just last month the European Parliament voted in favor of a ban on single-use plastics, including straws, and in other parts of the world major companies like McDonald's are phasing them out and exploring alternatives. Reusable straws and coffee cups might be the way of the future, and there's definitely no shortage of options.

The Chew straw is now on Kickstarter, where it's surpassed its US$14,500 goal with a week remaining on the campaign. Pledges start at around $17 for one Chew straw or $25 for two, and if all goes to plan, they should be ready to ship next month.

Check out the campaign video below.

Source: Chew Inc

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View gallery - 15 images
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7 comments
paul314
How about just silicone tips for existing metal straws?
aksdad
Like organic produce, reusable plastic bag bans, and "green" energy, this is a non-solution to a non-problem. The myth of plastic straws cataclysmically despoiling our beaches has transmogrified from pure fantasy to an article of faith of the Mother Church of Environmentalism and now drives public policy among the gullible ruling class. Last time I went to the beach I didn't see any plastic straws lying about. Or plastic bags.
f8lee
I bought a set of 4 aluminum straws with silicon tips (in different colors even!) for $10 on Amazon a few months ago...the biggest problem is remembering to take one along when I go out to eat. For that reason I ordered a Finalstraw from Kickstarter (which I believe I learned about on these pages) as that disassembles and has a much smaller case than this one - for about the same price.
Nik
Why does anyone need a straw, what's wrong with just drinking out of a cup or glass?
ljaques
I paid $1.42 for a 3/8" x 10" stainless steel straw, delivered. I got both bent and straight styles. (this about 5 years ago, not as a result of some stupid CA law) The larger diameter is great for smoothies. Now that I've seen these, I'd also like to get some for my straws, both 5/16 and 3/8" size. The $25 price for a pair of these freakin' straws is crazy, though.
TimShevlin
Whatever happened to tried and true wax-impregnated paper straws of our youth? (I am old) Such a simple solution. I like using a straw in popular level restaurants.
WillieNAz
Seriously? Aluminum? Haven't these "inventors" heard of Alzheimer's and the aluminum connection to the disease. What about stainless steel instead? And the other issue with these reusable straws will be mold and other health issues when people don't properly clean their straws. Maybe these inventors should focus on food based plastics, like how George Washington Carver invented plastic from peanuts. I'd much prefer glass to drink from. Fast Food restaurants should have "commemorative" glasses made like automobile glass that they give you a discount for bringing in and refilling.