SUSTAINABILITY
At eightysix, we believe that the simplest solutions can sometimes be the best ones, especially when it comes to our global plastic problem. That’s why we source our straws from one of the most simple, functional, and abundant plants around. That is also why our manufacturing process is incredibly low-impact, and why we work with small farms that utilize regenerative agriculture – meaning the farming improves the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them. Not because it’s a new fad or a term they heard about on a podcast. But because living in harmony with their environment has been our farmers livelihood passed down from generation to generation. Not to mention our grass is one tough invasive that regulates water levels, is the home several protected species, and produces a ton of additional oxygen with regular harvesting. Who would’ve thought you could replace the plastic straw with a Natural Climate Solution? We did. Find out more about our entire process below...
eightysix straw lifecycle...
STEP 1 | Regenerative Harvesting
An invasive species that naturally occurs in wetlands across the globe, our grass is harvested without chemicals or additives growing to about 6 ft tall in about a year. By properly cutting at the stem, not the root, the grass is able to regrow quickly and in turn, crank out an additional blast of oxygen that can only come from regular harvesting. Water levels remain, ecosystems stays diverse, and endangered species, like the Sarus Crane can prosper.
STEP 2 | Cut, Clean, Dry
Having been harvested for thousands of years to create woven baskets and hats, our small farmers know the simplest manner in which to efficiently and sustainably to harvest our grass straws. That combined with 21st century innovation in production and sustainable practices, and you have a 100% natural product that is created with an incredibly low carbon footprint*. It literally grows out of the ground like a straw.
STEP 3 | Quality Control
We come from food and beverage. We need our things to work. So we obsess over our products on behalf of all of you who’ve had to put up with poorly functioning tools on a regular basis. We feel you and in response, we are constantly are making improvements and constantly making our products and processes more functional AND sustainable. We’re not there yet, but we are committed to improvement everyday.
STEP 4 | Responsible Packaging
Our meticulousness doesn’t end with the product. Unbleached kraft, 100% recycled content, water activated tape, vegetable dyes; our processes get better every day as we look to the latest innovations and best practices for keeping our environmental impact as low as possible. Especially in regards to packaging, shipping, and receiving.
STEP 5 | eightysix Venue
We’re not just here to sell you straws. We’re here to eightysix single-use plasticand act as a gateway to more sustainable practices and like-minded partners. We also want sustainability to be accessible, provocative, and fun. In other words, we’re throwing a party, and we’re gonna do the planet some good at the same time. Join the fam and start the sustainability party at your venue, office, or home.
STEP 6 | Natural Decomposition
On land, in the ocean, or on the street, our straws naturally break down as soon as you’re done with them. Add them to your compost bin and you have a completely zero waste product. It’s that whole 100% natural, biodegradable, and compostable thing. We like to imagine a world where every venue had their own compost and while we’re not there yet, the conversation starts with “a straw that’s all good.”