PLA & Paper Straws

• Paper straws for everyday use provide a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic in food service
• Flexible PLA straws for healthcare meet accessibility needs for patients and aged care residents
• Three paper straw sizes in cocktail, regular and jumbo to suit different drink types
• Jumbo straws for thick drinks handle smoothies, thickshakes, bubble tea and thickened fluids
• Individually wrapped options for hygiene-sensitive environments including hospitals and aged care
• White and black colour options to match venue presentation and drink aesthetics
• Bulk carton quantities of 2,500 per pack reduce per-unit cost and reorder frequency
• Paper straws hold shape through typical drink consumption without becoming soggy
• Food-grade materials safe for direct contact with beverages
• Australian stock held in our Sydney warehouse for fast dispatch with no import lead times

For Bar and Cafe Staff

• Bulk packs keep bar stations stocked through busy service periods
• Three sizes cover cocktails, soft drinks and thick beverages without swapping suppliers
• Black straws suit dark spirits and premium drink presentation
• Paper straws satisfy customer expectations for eco-friendly options
• Consistent quality means no complaints about straws falling apart mid-drink

For Kitchen and Takeaway Staff

• Regular straws drop into cold drink lids quickly during service
• Jumbo straws handle smoothies and thickshakes without clogging
• Bulk packing allows fast restocking of dispenser stations
• Paper straws support plastic-free packaging for delivery orders
• White straws work with any cup colour and branding

For Healthcare and Aged Care Staff

• Flexible straws bend to reach patients who cannot sit upright
• Individually wrapped straws maintain hygiene for patient meal trays
• Jumbo straws accommodate thickened fluids for dysphagia patients
• PLA options provide flexibility while remaining compostable
• Consistent supply supports care planning without product substitutions

For Facility Managers and Procurement

• 2,500 per carton keeps per-unit costs competitive for high-volume use
• Paper and PLA options allow compliance with sustainability goals while meeting accessibility needs
• Sydney-based stock means no import delays or minimum order surprises
• Consolidate straw supply with other Zeropac food service items for simplified ordering
• Consistent product quality removes the need for ongoing supplier evaluation

Cafes and Restaurants

• Serving iced coffee, cold brew and chilled beverages
• Providing straws with soft drinks, juices and water
• Supplying jumbo straws for smoothies, frappes and thickshakes
• Including straws with takeaway and delivery drink orders

Bars and Pubs

• Serving cocktails with paper cocktail straws
• Providing straws for mixed drinks and highballs
• Offering black straws for premium drink presentation
• Supplying straws at self-serve drink stations

Hotels and Accommodation

• Stocking minibars and room service with wrapped straws
• Providing straws at poolside bars and restaurants
• Supplying conference and event beverage service
• Including straws with breakfast buffet juice stations

Healthcare and Aged Care

• Providing flexible PLA straws for patients with limited mobility
• Including wrapped straws on patient and resident meal trays
• Supplying jumbo straws for thickened fluids and supplements
• Stocking ward pantries and dining rooms

Catering and Events

• Supplying straws for corporate functions and conferences
• Providing cocktail straws for wedding and party bars
• Stocking mobile bars and food trucks
• Including straws with boxed lunches and meal packs

Straws fit into the workflow at the final drink presentation stage. For dine-in service, staff place straws directly into drinks or provide them alongside. For takeaway, straws go into bags with cups or are inserted through lids before handoff. Bulk packs allow quick restocking of dispenser containers at bar stations, drink counters and self-serve areas. The 2,500 pack size means less frequent carton changes during busy periods.

Size selection matters for drink type. Regular straws suit standard cold drinks, soft drinks and iced coffees. Cocktail straws work for shorter drinks, spirits and stirring. Jumbo straws handle thick beverages that would clog a standard straw, including smoothies, thickshakes, bubble tea and thickened fluids in healthcare settings. Having all three sizes in stock means staff can match the straw to the drink without improvising.

In healthcare environments, flexible straws allow patients to drink while lying down or reclined. The bendable neck reaches the mouth without requiring the patient to lift the cup or sit upright. Individually wrapped straws maintain hygiene standards for meal tray service and reduce handling contact. PLA flexible straws provide this accessibility while remaining compostable, supporting both patient care needs and facility sustainability goals.

Both paper and PLA straws are compostable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastic. Paper straws are the standard choice for cafes, restaurants and bars, performing well for typical drink consumption times. However, paper straws cannot bend, which limits their use for patients who need to drink while reclined. PLA (polylactic acid) straws are made from plant-based materials and can be manufactured with a flexible neck for accessibility applications. The jumbo PLA straw also handles thickened fluids reliably. Both materials break down in commercial composting facilities, making them genuinely sustainable options for different service requirements.

Paper straws hold their shape for typical drink consumption times of 30 to 60 minutes. They will eventually soften with extended liquid contact, but perform well for standard cafe, restaurant and bar service. For drinks that sit longer, or for customers who prefer a longer-lasting option, plastic straws remain available on request.

PLA (polylactic acid) is a plant-based bioplastic made from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane. Unlike petroleum-based plastic, PLA is commercially compostable and breaks down in industrial composting facilities. PLA straws can be manufactured with a flexible neck, making them essential for healthcare and aged care settings where patients need to drink while lying down or reclined. They provide the bendability that paper straws cannot offer while remaining a sustainable, compostable option.

Use jumbo straws for smoothies, thickshakes, bubble tea and any thick beverage. The wider diameter allows thick liquids to flow without clogging. Regular straws are too narrow for these drinks and will frustrate customers. Jumbo paper straws work well for most thick drinks, while jumbo PLA straws are better for thickened fluids in healthcare settings where the straw may be in the drink longer.

Cocktail straws are shorter and narrower than regular straws. They suit short drinks, spirits, cocktails and stirring. Regular straws are longer and work with standard drink cups, glasses and takeaway containers. Choose cocktail straws for bar service and mixed drinks, regular straws for soft drinks, juices and iced coffees.

Yes. Paper straws break down in both commercial composting facilities and home compost systems. PLA straws are commercially compostable and require the higher temperatures of industrial composting facilities to break down efficiently. Both materials are genuinely sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastic straws. For venues with composting programs, both paper and PLA straws can be disposed of with organic waste.

Individually wrapped straws maintain hygiene by protecting the straw from handling contact until use. They are essential for hospital and aged care meal tray service where infection control matters. Wrapped straws also suit hotel room service, minibars and any setting where straws may sit out before use. For general cafe and bar service, bulk packed straws stored in dispensers are more practical and cost-effective.