Misato NotoIn the midst of growing concerns about single-use plastic straws, sustainable alternatives are coming into the spotlight. To date, we’ve seen paper-made and stainless-steel replacements.
Partnering with Yokohama SDGs Design Center, wood homebuilder Aqura Home joined the movement towards sustainable straws by releasing the world’s first wooden straw made from logged wood. Unlike paper-based straws, wooden straws don’t get soggy, making them a more user-friendly option. Aqura Home and Yokohama SDGs Design Center anticipate that these wooden straws can bring about positive environmental, economic and social change.
From an environmental perspective, the use of logged wood contributes to effective forest management, as well as the reduction of plastic waste. Nearly 70% of Japan’s land area is covered by forest. Yet these forests remain untouched, owing to the availability of cheap imported wood and the shortage of forestry workers in the country. Selective logging would allow for tree growth and protection from natural disasters.
As for the circulation of the product, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu provides them to patrons upon request as it strives to eliminate plastic straw usage at its restaurants. Aqura Home is also preparing to provide the straws to restaurants and hotels in Yokohama. Aqura Home and Yokohama SDGs Design Center believe that this strategy can be adopted across the country, given the abundance of forest in Japan. They also plan to partner with other businesses and local governments to help them implement this wooden straw project.
Internationally, this wooden straw was introduced at the G20 Osaka Summit and some ministerial meetings this year. Aqura Home says it is also making supply arrangements with Narita International Airport, which would promote this product to a much wider audience. With these strategies geared towards domestic and international crowds, it won’t be long before this green product becomes an accessible, environmentally-friendly option.
[Reference] cookbiz
