How Our Material Returns to Nature

Our straws are made from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) — a family of biodegradable materials naturally produced by microorganisms using renewable plant-based resources such as plant oils or sugars.

After use, PHAs are broken down by naturally occurring microbes found in soil, freshwater, and marine environments, a process known as biodegradation.

What Is Mineralization?

Mineralization is when a material is fully converted into natural byproducts:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

• Water

• Biomass (new microbial life)

This means the material doesn’t just break into smaller pieces; it is completely reintegrated into the natural ecosystem. Not only are our straws dissolving into the environment, but they are also being converted into natural byproducts that plants and other natural life can use to their advantage.

How Biodegradation Is Measured

Independent scientific organizations have developed standardized methods to measure how materials biodegrade in real-world environments.

In laboratory settings, scientists use respirometric (gas evolution) testing to track biodegradation. These tests measure the amount of carbon dioxide released as microorganisms consume the material.

This process confirms mineralization, the final stage of biodegradation.

Designed for Sustainable Environments

PHAs can biodegrade in a wide range of conditions, including:

• Soil

• Compost

• Freshwater

• Marine environments

Because biodegradation is a biological process, the speed depends on environmental factors such as temperature, oxygen, and the presence of microorganisms. Keeping this in mind, we guarantee our straws will take less than ___ days to completely dissolve and convert into natural byproducts.