The tragedy of marine life is not an isolated event, but a microcosm of plastic pollution. The microplastic particles formed by the decomposition of plastic straws in seawater are not only ingested by marine organisms but also transmitted through the food chain to higher trophic level organisms, ultimately potentially affecting human food safety. In addition, microplastic particles can also adsorb toxic substances in the environment, such as heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls, further exacerbating their toxic effects on marine organisms.

Faced with this severe challenge, biodegradable straws have emerged. These straws are usually made of biobased materials such as PLA (polylactic acid) and PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), which can be completely degraded into carbon dioxide and water under the action of microorganisms in natural environments or specific conditions, without increasing environmental load. Compared to traditional plastic straws, biodegradable straws perform significantly differently in marine environments.

Research has shown that even under seawater conditions, biodegradable straws can begin to decompose within a few months, greatly reducing their time as marine debris. More importantly, their decomposition products are common substances in the natural environment and do not have direct toxic effects on marine organisms.

The promotion and use of biodegradable straws not only help alleviate the survival pressure on marine organisms but also reflect human respect and protection of the natural environment. Taking the United States as an example, since 2019, multiple states and cities have begun to ban or restrict the use of traditional plastic straws, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly alternatives such as biodegradable straws. This measure has not only received positive responses from consumers but also promoted the green transformation of the catering industry. Many well-known catering brands have announced that they will fully adopt biodegradable straws to support environmental protection through practical actions.