# Plastic-Free Straw Commitments Noodles & Company Will Use Entirely Plastic-Free Straws by March By Colin Smith | Published 2022-01-24 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastic-straw-free References: [qsrmagazine](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/noodles-company-replace-all-plastic-straws) & [noodles](https://www.noodles.com/?a)  Noodles & Company, the United States-based National purveyor of fresh to order noodle dishes, has announced a company-wide initiative to be entirely plastic straw-free by the end of March 2022. Many fast-food, quick-service, and fast-casual restaurants have previously swapped to straws made out of paper-like materials, and Noodles & Company now believes it must make this swap in order t uphold its commitment to sustainability. As part of this commitment, Noodles & Company is entering into a partnership with 'Aardvark,' a B2B material supplier, in order to ensure the straws the company now uses are high-quality and sustainable. These paper straws are certified BPI compostable, naturally degradable, and can last over three hours in a drink without deteriorating. On top of this, these straws are approved by the FDA. With this initiative, Noodles & Company is making a statement about sustainability not needing to come at the cost of quality. Image Credit: Shutterstock ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Plastic-free Straws:** There is a growing trend for companies to switch from plastic straws to more sustainable alternatives, creating opportunities for the development of new eco-friendly straw materials and suppliers. - **Sustainable Packaging:** As more companies commit to reducing their plastic waste, there is an increasing demand for sustainable packaging options, leading to innovation opportunities for companies developing eco-friendly packaging materials and technologies. - **Corporate Sustainability Initiatives:** Companies are making commitments to sustainability in response to consumer demand for more environmentally-friendly options, opening opportunities for sustainability-focused consulting firms and organizations that can help with the adoption of sustainable practices. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Food and Beverage:** As the Noodles & Company initiative demonstrates, there is a growing demand in the food and beverage industry for more sustainable packaging options and environmentally-friendly practices, creating opportunities for companies that can provide such solutions. - **Supply Chain and Logistics:** As companies seek to adopt more sustainable practices, there is an ongoing need for logistics and supply chain management to help implement and coordinate the movement of eco-friendly materials and products. - **Environmental Consulting:** As companies look to adopt more sustainable practices, there is a need for expert advice and consulting services to help guide them in their sustainability initiatives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodegradable-straw.md) - [Eco-Friendly Instant Noodle Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-cup-packaging.md) - [Plant-Based Breaded Chicken](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-impossible-panko-chicken.md) - [Plastic-Free Food Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plasticfree-food-packaging.md) - [Eco-Friendly QSR Coffee Lids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tim-hortons-2.md) - [Folding Fountain Drink Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fountain-drink-cups.md) - [Supportive Restaurant Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supportive-restaurant-initiatives.md) - [Reusable Straw Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-reusable-straw.md) - [Paper-Based Instant Noodle Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-pot-design.md)