When it comes to improving patient care and reducing environmental impact, the smallest choices can have the biggest effect. One such change? Swapping out traditional plastic or paper straws for ZeroPac's smooth, durable, compostable PLA straws.

Hospitals and aged care homes use thousands of straws every week to support patients with hydration and nutrition. Yet too often, these are made from plastic (which is being phased out), or soggy paper options that disintegrate before a drink is even finished. That’s where PLA straws offer a smarter alternative.

Flexible, straight or jumbo sized straws with smooth finish

ZeroPac’s PLA straws come in flexible, straight and jumbo-sized options and are crafted from a plant-based compostable material, called polylactic acid (PLA). This gives our straws a uniquely smooth finish and pleasant mouthfeel. 

Flexible and straight PLA straws are especially suitable for patients in aged care and hospitals who experience dry mouth, reduced dexterity or oral sensitivity. It makes easier feeding in bed as well as table feeding.

Jumbo PLA straws are ideal for smoothies and purees, giving patients additional feeding options and the ability to feed themselves for longer when they are less able to use cutlery.

Unlike paper straws that collapse in hot or cold liquids, PLA straws hold their shape for hours without going soggy. 

Why PLA straws work best in healthcare 

Individually wrapped in biodegradable paper, straight, flexible and jumbo-sized PLA straws from ZeroPac are versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of beverages, ensuring convenience whilst supporting sustainability and waste reduction initiatives. 

For nurses and carers, PLA straws means less waste as fewer replacements are needed per patient, therefore saving time across a shift. On average, hospitals report needing up to 3 paper straws per patient per day due to breakage or disintegration. In contrast, a single PLA straw often lasts across multiple drinks - cutting straw usage by up to two-thirds.

And the good news is your budgets benefit too:

That’s an approximate saving of 38% in daily costs; not to mention the reduced staff handling and restocking effort.

PLA straws: kind to patients. Kinder to the planet.

ZeroPac’s PLA straws aren’t just better for patients; they’re better for the planet too. Since they’re made from plant-based material, they contain no oil-derived products. 

Better still, PLA straws can be disposed of with food waste, streamlining operations for hospital kitchens and care homes.They are fully compatible with:

•    On-site food digesters (ideal for facilities already reducing food waste)
•    Commercial composting systems
•    Anaerobic digestion (AD) for food-to-fuel waste treatment

This versatility ensures that PLA straws can be diverted from landfill and turned into nutrient-rich compost or renewable energy, in line with hospital sustainability targets and net-zero goals.

The positive impact from a simple switch to PLA straws 

Hospitals and aged care homes are under increasing pressure to reduce single-use plastics while maintaining hygiene and patient care standards. ZeroPac’s PLA straws tick all the boxes: hygienic, durable, patient-friendly, and planet-friendly.

At Zero Pac, we specialise in sustainable solutions that meet the real-world demands of healthcare settings. Our PLA straws are available in wrapped and unwrapped formats to suit a variety of clinical environments. Whether you're making your procurement policy sustainable or solving the soggy straw problem, this is one swap that’s easy to make, and even easier to justify!

Ready to make the change? 

Talk to us today about bulk supply options of flexible, straight and jumbo PLA straws for your healthcare or aged care facility.