Paper Straws, ranked by PFAS grade
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, best-graded first. 10 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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The best non-toxic paper straws, ranked by grade
Buyer’s guide
What to look for in paper straws, and which brands grade best and worst
Bad · Better · Best paper straws
The quickest read, what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.
Eco Friendly Wrapped Paper Straws - (200 Pack)
Lower-concern option, but coating source not disclosed; verify with brand if PFAS risk matters to you.
Aardvark
Paper Straws
Lower-concern choice; standard paper straws typically avoid PFAS, but Aardvark makes no explicit claim.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, best-graded first
Aardvark
Paper Straws
paper (uncoated or standard coating)
Mold or microbial growth from moisture
Limited concern
Paper fragmentation ingestion
Limited concern
Lower-concern choice; standard paper straws typically avoid PFAS, but Aardvark makes no explicit claim.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Aardvark
hoffmaster Jumbo Aardvark Paper Straws
paper (untreated or minimal processing)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microbial contamination (mold, bacteria)
Limited concern
Lower-concern choice; paper straws avoid typical PFAS coatings but verify batch if concerned.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Aardvark
Paper Drinking Straws 600 Pieces In Box
Paper (unbleached or chlorine-free certified)
Bleaching residues (chlorine-based)
Limited concern
Water-resistance coating composition
Limited concern
Microbial contamination during storage
Limited concern
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
Durable Kraft Paper Straws
Kraft paper (uncoated or water-based coating)
Coating leachables (if present)
Limited concern
Mold and microbial growth (post-use storage)
Limited concern
Fiber fragmentation and ingestion risk
Limited concern
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
Straws PAPER
Total Home Earth Essentials Compostable Paper Straws
paper (compostable)
Coating composition (synthetic wax, adhesives, or starches)
Limited concern
Compostability claim without certification
Moderate concern
Microbial growth (if stored damp or reused)
Limited concern
Lower concern; paper straws rarely need PFAS treatment, but verify compostability standard if concerned about hidden coatings.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Straws PAPER
Time To Party Striped Paper Straws
paper (uncoated or water-based coating)
Paper fiber shedding or pulp degradation in hot liquids
Limited concern
Microbial growth if straws are stored damp
Limited concern
Lower-concern choice; plain paper straws lack moisture barriers where PFAS typically hide.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Straws PAPER
Design Imports Paper Straws (Set of 100)
paper (uncoated or minimal coating)
Microbial contamination or mold growth
Limited concern
Ink or dye migration from printed designs
Limited concern
Lower concern; plain paper straws carry minimal PFAS risk unless coated.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Straws PAPER
CVS Time To Party Striped Paper Straws
paper (no known coating disclosed)
Dye migration and colorant safety
Limited concern
Pulp fiber shedding and microparticles
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Mold and microbial growth if stored wet
Limited concern
Lower-concern choice; plain paper straws rarely treated with PFAS, but CVS makes no public commitment.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Yocup
Giant Striped Unwrapped Paper Straw
Paper (unwrapped, uncoated)
Ink migration from printed stripes
Limited concern
Pulp degradation and fiber shedding
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth if stored improperly
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern for uncoated paper straws; buy with confidence unless coating disclosed elsewhere.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
World Centric
Kraft Paper Straws
Kraft paper (uncoated/minimally treated)
Microorganism colonization and mold
Limited concern
Fiber fragmentation under heat or prolonged contact
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; plain kraft paper straws rarely require PFAS treatments, but verify no grease-resistant coatings are present.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Straws PAPER
Comfy Package Paper Drinking Straws
Paper with moisture/grease barrier coating (unspecified)
Unspecified barrier coating composition
Limited concern
Microbial growth during storage or use
Limited concern
Coating degradation and particle shedding at high temperature
Limited concern
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
Straws PAPER
Comfy Package Jumbo Paper Smoothie Straws
Paper with water-resistance coating (likely wax or PFAS-based)
Unidentified water-resistance coating composition
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Limited concern
Mold and bacterial colonization of paper structure
Limited concern
Indirect chemical migration via unspecified additives
Limited concern
Don't buy unless the manufacturer confirms PFAS-free water coating; paper straws often use fluorinated treatments.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Straws PAPER
3000 Pack Wrapped Disposable Paper Drinking Straws
Paper with water-resistant coating (type unspecified)
Coating leachables (unidentified water-resistant coating)
Limited concern
Coating delamination and microparticulate release
Limited concern
Odor or off-flavor transfer
Limited concern
Paper straws are lower concern than plastic, but coating material remains undisclosed; proceed with moderate caution.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Straws PAPER
Blue Sky Paper Straws
paper with water-resistant coating (composition unspecified)
PFAS
High concern
Coating degradation and unknown leachables
Limited concern
Microbiological growth (internal tube)
Limited concern
Don't buy until coating transparency improves; paper straws often use PFAS-based water barriers.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Eco Friendly Wrapped Paper Straws - (200 Pack)
Paper with food-safe coating/wrapping
Coating composition (undisclosed chemistry)
Limited concern
Microplastic or fiber shedding from damaged coating
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth if stored damp
Limited concern
Lower-concern option, but coating source not disclosed; verify with brand if PFAS risk matters to you.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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