US Disposable Straws

US Disposable Straws


The US market for disposable straws continues to face unprecedented disruption, with the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability initiatives, and bans on single-use plastics all combining to escalate changes in volume usage, pricing, and the types of materials used in produce straws. Foodservice is by far the largest market for straws and will continue to have an outsized impact on overall straw industry trends.

Demand for disposable straws is forecast to grow 1.5% annually to $597 million in 2027. However, this growth rate hides two opposing underlying trends:
  •      Growth in average prices will be supported by a transition from conventional plastics to higher value materials such as paper and bioplastics and this will support growth in market value.
  •      Demand in unit terms will decline as sustainability-driven efforts and bans aim to reduce or eliminate straw use.

Sustainability Becomes the Major Factor in Straw Choices


Historically, straw end users have generally valued performance and cost over sustainability in purchasing decisions. However, growing public awareness of the negative impacts of small plastic items like straws and expansion of single-use plastics bans have made plastic straws a target of sustainability initiatives, especially among foodservice leaders whose products are in the spotlight. This has resulted in:
  •      a strong push toward using biodegradable alternatives – such as paper, molded fiber, and bioplastics – instead of polypropylene
  •      efforts to reduce usage by only providing straws upon request or eliminating straws altogether by using alternatives such as strawless lids

New Materials Compete for Market Share as Conventional Plastic is Phased Out


As more consumers recognize the negative environmental effects of conventional plastic straws, they will continue to be replaced by new alternatives that have entered the market. However, there has yet to be a clear leader in the race to replace conventional plastic.
Initially, paper and polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic straws were the most available products. However, paper’s performance issues inhibited early adoption while PLA received criticism for its lack of biodegradability. As a result, newer materials such as molded fiber and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastic have recently entered the market, aiming to provide both good performance and strong environmental profiles.

US Straw Production Ramps Up as Alternative Materials Flourish


Historically, straws have largely been manufactured in Asia (mostly in China) and imported to the US. While straws can be expensive to ship long distances, China’s large low cost plastics industry allowed the country to be a dominant player in the US market despite shipping costs. However, plastic straw bans in China combined with temporary US tariffs led to an increase in domestic production, especially for paper and bioplastic straws.

Study Description

This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $553 million US disposable straw industry. It presents historical demand data (2012, 2017, and 2022) and forecasts (2027 and 2032) by material (conventional plastic, bioplastic, paper, and molded fiber) and market (foodservice, consumer/retail, and beverage packaging). The study also evaluates company market share and competitive analysis on key industry competitors including Hoffmaster Group (Aardvark), D&W Fine Pack, WinCup, Pactiv Evergreen, and Fuling.


  • Executive Summary
    • Table Figure 1-1. Disposable Straws Market Outlook
  • About This Report
    • Report Details
    • Study Scope & Product Description
    • Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
      • Table Annual Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2023
      • Table Figure 2-1. Annual Disposable Straw Demand, 2020 - 2025
  • Overview
    • Historical Market Trends
      • Table Disposable Straw Demand, 2012 - 2022
      • Table Figure 3-1. Annual Disposable Straw Demand, 2000 - 2022
    • Supply & Demand
      • Table Disposable Straw Supply & Demand, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
    • Trends in Materials
      • Demand by Material
        • Table Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
        • Table Annual Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
        • Table Figure 3-2. Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Materials Comparison: Advantages & Disadvantages
        • Table Materials Used in Disposable Straws: Comparison & Key Characteristics
    • Pricing Trends
      • Table Disposable Straw Pricing by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Disposable Straw Pricing by Material, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 3-3. Disposable Straw Pricing by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
    • Global Perspective
      • Regional Trends
      • Impact of China on Straw Market
      • Global Bans & Restrictions
  • Factors Impacting Straws Demand
    • Foodservice Industry Trends
      • Table Figure 4-1. Foodservice Revenues by Establishment Type, 2022
    • Beverage Consumption
      • Table Figure 4-2. US Soft Drink Production by Product, 2010 - 2025
    • Regulations & Product Bans
    • Sustainability Initiatives
    • Competitive Products: Reusable Straws & No Straw Options
      • Table Figure 4-3. Comparative Growth: Disposable Straws vs. Reusable Straws, 2022 - 2027
    • Consumer Preferences
      • Reusable Straws
        • Table Ownership of Reusable Straws by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, Annual Household Income Bracket, &Presence of Children at Home, 2022
        • Table Ownership of Reusable Straws by Material Type, by Gender, Age Group, &Annual Household Income Bracket, 2022
        • Table Consumers Who Travel with Reusable Straws by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, Annual Household Income Bracket, &Presence of Children at Home, 2022
        • Table Tendency to Forget Reusable Straws by Gender, Age Group, Urban vs. Rural Setting, Annual Household Income Bracket, &Presence of Children at Home, 2022
      • Disposable Straw Use Habits at Foodservice Establishments
        • Table Consumer Attitudes: Disposable Straw Use Habits by Gender, 2022
        • Table Consumer Attitudes: Disposable Straw Use Habits by Age Group, 2022
        • Table Consumer Attitudes: Disposable Straw Use Habits by Presence of Children in the Home, 2022
        • Table Consumer Attitudes: Disposable Straw Use Habits by Household Income Bracket, 2022
      • Straw Material Preferences
        • Table Straw Material Preferences by Gender, 2022
        • Table Straw Material Preferences by Age Group, 2022
        • Table Straw Material Preferences by Presence of Children at Home, 2022
        • Table Straw Material Preferences by Household Income Bracket, 2022
      • Attitudes About Plastic Straw Bans
        • Table Consumer Attitudes About Plastic Straw Bans by Gender, 2022
        • Table Consumer Attitudes About Plastic Straw Bans by Age Group, 2022
        • Table Consumer Attitudes About Plastic Straw Bans by Presence of Children at Home, 2022
        • Table Consumer Attitudes About Plastic Straw Bans by Household Income Bracket,2022
  • Plastic Straws
    • Product Description: Advantages & Disadvantages
    • Materials Trends
      • Demand by Material
        • Table Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
        • Table Annual Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
        • Table Figure 5-1. Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Conventional Plastic Straws
        • Table Conventional Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
        • Table Annual Conventional Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Market, 2019 - 2026
        • Table Figure 5-2. Conventional Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Bioplastic Straws (PLA and PHA)
        • Table Disposable Bioplastic Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
        • Table Annual Disposable Bioplastic Straw Demand by Market, 2019 - 2026
        • Table Figure 5-3. Disposable Bioplastic Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
    • Demand by Market
      • Table Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Market, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 5-4. Disposable Plastic Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
    • New Product Development
    • Leading Producers
  • Paper Straws
    • Product Description: Advantages & Disadvantages
    • Demand by Market
      • Table Disposable Paper Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Disposable Paper Straw Demand by Market, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 6-1. Disposable Paper Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
    • New Product Development
    • Leading Producers
  • Molded Fiber Straws
    • Product Description: Advantages & Disadvantages
    • Demand by Market
      • Table Molded Fiber Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Molded Fiber Straw Demand by Market, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 7-1. Molded Fiber Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
    • New Product Development
    • Leading Producers
  • Markets
    • Demand by Market
      • Table Disposable Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Disposable Straw Demand by Market, 2019 - 2026
      • Table Figure 8-1. Disposable Straw Demand by Market, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
    • Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants
      • Table Fast Food & Fast Casual Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Fast Food & Fast Casual Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
    • Coffee & Snack Shops
      • Table Coffee & Snack Shop Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Coffee & Snack Shop Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
    • Full-Service Restaurants
      • Table Full-Service Restaurant Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Full-Service Restaurant Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
    • Other Foodservice Markets
      • Table Other Foodservice Market Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Other Foodservice Market Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
    • Consumer Market (Retail Sales)
      • Table Consumer/Retail Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Consumer/Retail Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2019 - 2026
    • Beverage Packaging (Drink Boxes & Pouches)
      • Table Beverage Packaging Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Table Annual Beverage Packaging Disposable Straw Demand by Material, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
  • Key Suppliers & Market Share
    • Industry Composition
    • Market Share
      • Table Figure 9-1. US Disposable Straw Market Share by Company, 2022
  • Appendix
    • Scope
      • Table Relevant Industry Codes
      • Table Relevant HS Codes
    • Definitions
    • Freedonia Methodology
    • Study-Specific Methodology
    • Sources
    • Associations & Agencies
    • Related Studies & Reports
    • Macroeconomic Assumptions
      • Economic Environment
        • Table Macroeconomic Indicators, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Demographic Trends
        • Table Population & Households, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Consumer Spending
        • Table Personal Consumption Expenditures & Retail Sales, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032
      • Retail Sales
        • Table Nondurable Goods Retail Sales, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027, &2032

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