The Best Non-Toxic Paper Straws of 2026

We scored 15 paper straws for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them best-graded first. The top pick is Aardvark Paper Straws at 70/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.

Narrow it downUncoated Paper Straws
How to read these scores. PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Each grade is a model-based assessment built from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, brand disclosures, recalls and third-party lab results where they exist. Read the full rubric to see exactly what adds and removes points.
33% of the 15 paper straws we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
PFAS Authority, September 2026. Free to cite with a link. See the full dataset.

The best-scoring paper straws for PFAS risk

  1. 1
    Aardvark Paper Straws

    Aardvark

    Paper Straws

    paper (uncoated or standard coating)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade62Good
    ⚠️

    Mold or microbial growth from moisture

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Paper fragmentation ingestion

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower-concern choice; standard paper straws typically avoid PFAS, but Aardvark makes no explicit claim.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy
  2. 2
    hoffmaster Jumbo Aardvark Paper Straws

    Aardvark

    hoffmaster Jumbo Aardvark Paper Straws

    paper (untreated or minimal processing)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade62Good
    💨

    Formaldehyde / VOCs

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Microbial contamination (mold, bacteria)

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower-concern choice; paper straws avoid typical PFAS coatings but verify batch if concerned.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy
  3. 3
    Aardvark Paper Drinking Straws 600 Pieces In Box

    Aardvark

    Paper Drinking Straws 600 Pieces In Box

    Paper (unbleached or chlorine-free certified)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade58Good
    ⚠️

    Bleaching residues (chlorine-based)

    Limited concern

    70
    🍳

    Water-resistance coating composition

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Microbial contamination during storage

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern; plain paper straws are not a typical PFAS vector, but verify if any water-resistance coating is applied.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy
  4. 4
    Durable Kraft Paper Straws

    Durable Kraft Paper Straws

    Kraft paper (uncoated or water-based coating)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade58Good
    🍳

    Coating leachables (if present)

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Mold and microbial growth (post-use storage)

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Fiber fragmentation and ingestion risk

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern; kraft paper straws rarely require PFAS-based treatments, but buy only if uncoated or ask brand directly.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy
  5. 5
    Total Home Earth Essentials Compostable Paper Straws

    Straws PAPER

    Total Home Earth Essentials Compostable Paper Straws

    paper (compostable)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade52Good
    🍳

    Coating composition (synthetic wax, adhesives, or starches)

    Limited concern

    70
    🏷️

    Compostability claim without certification

    Moderate concern

    45
    ⚠️

    Microbial growth (if stored damp or reused)

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern; paper straws rarely need PFAS treatment, but verify compostability standard if concerned about hidden coatings.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy
  6. 6
    Time To Party Striped Paper Straws

    Straws PAPER

    Time To Party Striped Paper Straws

    paper (uncoated or water-based coating)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade62Good
    🫧

    Paper fiber shedding or pulp degradation in hot liquids

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Microbial growth if straws are stored damp

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower-concern choice; plain paper straws lack moisture barriers where PFAS typically hide.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy
  7. 7
    Design Imports Paper Straws (Set of 100)

    Straws PAPER

    Design Imports Paper Straws (Set of 100)

    paper (uncoated or minimal coating)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade62Good
    ⚠️

    Microbial contamination or mold growth

    Limited concern

    70
    🎨

    Ink or dye migration from printed designs

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower concern; plain paper straws carry minimal PFAS risk unless coated.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy
  8. 8
    CVS Time To Party Striped Paper Straws

    Straws PAPER

    CVS Time To Party Striped Paper Straws

    paper (no known coating disclosed)

    PFAS Grade70Good
    Overall Grade44Poor
    🎨

    Dye migration and colorant safety

    Limited concern

    70
    🫧

    Pulp fiber shedding and microparticles

    Moderate concern

    45
    💨

    Formaldehyde / VOCs

    Limited concern

    70
    ⚠️

    Mold and microbial growth if stored wet

    Limited concern

    70

    Lower-concern choice; plain paper straws rarely treated with PFAS, but CVS makes no public commitment.

    ⚠Starting grade for this product type

    Why this gradeBuy

Every paper straws that passes, side by side

Sorted by score. A higher score means lower PFAS risk.

#Paper StrawsScoreRatingMade of
1Aardvark Paper Straws70Goodpaper (uncoated or standard coating)
2Aardvark hoffmaster Jumbo Aardvark Paper Straws70Goodpaper (untreated or minimal processing)
3Aardvark Paper Drinking Straws 600 Pieces In Box70GoodPaper (unbleached or chlorine-free certified)
4Durable Kraft Paper Straws70GoodKraft paper (uncoated or water-based coating)
5Straws PAPER Total Home Earth Essentials Compostable Paper Straws70Goodpaper (compostable)
6Straws PAPER Time To Party Striped Paper Straws70Goodpaper (uncoated or water-based coating)
7Straws PAPER Design Imports Paper Straws (Set of 100)70Goodpaper (uncoated or minimal coating)
8Straws PAPER CVS Time To Party Striped Paper Straws70Goodpaper (no known coating disclosed)

The paper straws we would skip

Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.

Comfy Package Paper Drinking Straws

Straws PAPER

Comfy Package Paper Drinking Straws

Paper with moisture/grease barrier coating (unspecified)

PFAS Grade25Poor
Overall Grade13Bad
🍳

Unspecified barrier coating composition

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Microbial growth during storage or use

Limited concern

70
🫧

Coating degradation and particle shedding at high temperature

Limited concern

70

Lower concern for PFAS, but opacity on coating formulation limits confidence; paper straws are inherently lower-risk than coated alternatives.

⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Why this gradeTop-graded picks →
Comfy Package Jumbo Paper Smoothie Straws

Straws PAPER

Comfy Package Jumbo Paper Smoothie Straws

Paper with water-resistance coating (likely wax or PFAS-based)

PFAS Grade25Poor
Overall Grade9Bad
🍳

Unidentified water-resistance coating composition

Limited concern

70
🫧

Coating degradation and microparticle release

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Mold and bacterial colonization of paper structure

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Indirect chemical migration via unspecified additives

Limited concern

70

Don't buy unless the manufacturer confirms PFAS-free water coating; paper straws often use fluorinated treatments.

⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Why this gradeTop-graded picks →
3000 Pack Wrapped Disposable Paper Drinking Straws

Straws PAPER

3000 Pack Wrapped Disposable Paper Drinking Straws

Paper with water-resistant coating (type unspecified)

PFAS Grade25Poor
Overall Grade13Bad
🍳

Coating leachables (unidentified water-resistant coating)

Limited concern

70
🍂

Coating delamination and microparticulate release

Limited concern

70
⚠️

Odor or off-flavor transfer

Limited concern

70

Paper straws are lower concern than plastic, but coating material remains undisclosed; proceed with moderate caution.

⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Why this gradeTop-graded picks →

What we check on paper straws

  • Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
  • Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
  • Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
  • Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.

Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.

The paper straws brands that will not say

5 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.

, Aardvark, Straws PAPER, World Centric, Yocup.

Common questions about PFAS in paper straws

Is paper straws PFAS free?

Mostly not. Of the 15 paper straws we have scored, 33% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 10 that pass. The highest scoring is Aardvark Paper Straws at 70 out of 100. The lowest is Straws PAPER Comfy Package Paper Drinking Straws at 25.

Which paper straws grades best for PFAS?

Aardvark Paper Straws, at 70 out of 100, which we band as Good. It is paper (uncoated or standard coating). The runner up is Aardvark hoffmaster Jumbo Aardvark Paper Straws at 70.

Which paper straws should I avoid?

The three lowest scoring we hold are Straws PAPER Comfy Package Paper Drinking Straws at 25, Straws PAPER Comfy Package Jumbo Paper Smoothie Straws at 25, Straws PAPER 3000 Pack Wrapped Disposable Paper Drinking Straws at 25. The problem with the first is that lower concern for PFAS, but opacity on coating formulation limits confidence; paper straws are inherently lower-risk than coated alternatives.

Which paper straws brands will not say whether they use PFAS?

5 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including , Aardvark, Straws PAPER, World Centric, Yocup. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.

Do you lab test paper straws?

No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.

More food and water categories we have graded

Same rubric, same scale. These are the categories closest to paper straws.

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We also wrote this up at length. PFAS in Paper Straws, Why the Coated Ones Grade Worst

Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 15 paper straws.