Ban on single use plastic materials has come as a boon for the people making and selling paper straws.

Karthika, a wholesale trader of paper straws in Coimbatore, told Covai Post, that it was now beginning to be a good trading proposition as demand for paper straws is increasing. She welcomed the ban on plastic straws as they are hazardous to children. Paper straws on the other hand do not pose health hazards as they are made up of paper and food-degradable gum. These are also cheaper than plastic ones at paise 70 per straw, she said.

Keerthana Vivek, a local distributor of paper straws told Covai Post that five prominent Palamudir Nilayams in Coimbatore were buying more than 1000 straws per week, from her enterprise. She added that small juice shops and road-side vendors like sugarcane juice vendors, coconut water vendors among others have started demanding 100 to 150 straws per week. “This is a profitable business and the demand is regular and increasing” she said happily.

Naveen Ponraj, the Chief Executive Officer of Sri Venkateshwara Supermarket chain in Chennai, expressed happiness that there was growing awareness about ill-effects of plastic. “We get more party orders for biodegradable plates, cups, tumblers and paper straws. Many cottage industries are booming up now making biodegradable paper straws, at an affordable price. The supply is low and is unable to cope with growing demand,” he said.