# Wheat-Based Drinking Straws HAY! Straws Makes Biodegradable Drinking Straws from a Waste Product By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-08-13 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodegradable-drinking-straws References: [specialtyfood](https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/company-aims-use-wheat-waste-plastic-straw-alternative/) & [haystraws](https://www.haystraws.com/) With large-scale cafes and fast food corporations pledging to reduce their waste by doing away with single-use straws, the need for biodegradable drinking straws and other eco-friendly alternatives is top-of-mind for both brands and conscious consumers. HAY! Straws sets itself apart by producing a natural, wheat-based drinking straw from a [waste product](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/by-osmosis) of the wheat harvest process. The biodegradable drinking straws are made from the stem of the wheat plant and sold in [plastic-free packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfpacking-cheese). As the crop is in high demand all across the world, it creates plenty of waste material that can be cut, rinsed, sterilized and used for sipping drinks, without the need for additional plants to be grown or harvested. Although the straws are made from wheat waste, HAY! Straws notes that they are not meant to be eaten or digested. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Biodegradable Straws:** Brands invest in making environmentally friendly straw alternatives such as wheat-based straws. - **Waste-based Products:** Companies are creating innovative eco-friendly products from waste materials. - **Sustainable Packaging:** Businesses are trying to find sustainable solutions for product packaging like plastic-free packaging for straws. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food and Beverage Industry:** There is a growing demand for sustainable food and beverage packaging solutions, including eco-friendly straws like wheat-based straws. - **Agricultural Industry:** The agricultural industry can explore opportunities to collaborate with biodegradable straw manufacturers by providing their waste materials as a resource. - **Packaging Industry:** Develop packaging solutions that are environmentally responsible, making way for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Non-Soggy Biodegradable Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lignin.md) - [Eco-Friendly Ice Straw Molds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ice-straw.md) - [Plastic-Free Straw Commitments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastic-straw-free.md) - [Reusable Drink-Stirring Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whiskee-straw.md) - [Durable Juice Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capri-sun-1.md) - [Compact Rollable Reusable Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boba-tribe.md) - [Eye-Catching Reusable Beverage Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reusable-beverage-cup.md) - [Revamped Eco Juice Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caprisun-packaging.md) - [Sustainable Edible Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haeckels-3.md)