Durable Kraft Paper Straws
Lower concern; kraft paper straws rarely require PFAS-based treatments, but buy only if uncoated or ask brand directly.
Who Gives A Crap's kraft straws use paper, which typically doesn't need fluorinated coatings. The brand hasn't disclosed PFAS status or coating details.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Kraft paper (uncoated or water-based coating)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Coating leachables (if present)
Who Gives A Crap does not disclose whether coatings are applied; if water-based acrylic or PVA is used, leaching risk is minimal, but synthetic polymer coatings (including old-generation Teflon-type coating) cannot be ruled out without direct verification from the brand.
Mold and microbial growth (post-use storage)
Kraft paper's porous, cellulose-rich structure can harbor mold if stored damp or in humid conditions. This is a post-purchase storage hazard, not a manufacturing one, but relevant if straws are kept in a drawer or bag with moisture.
Fiber fragmentation and ingestion risk
If straws soften or degrade during use, small fiber pieces may shed into beverage. While cellulose is non-toxic, straw fragments are a choking and swallowing irritation hazard, particularly for young children or individuals with swallowing difficulties.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Bleach residue and chlorine compounds
Kraft paper is typically oxygen-bleached or chlorine-free bleached in modern mills; however, residual chlorine or dioxins from conventional bleaching are not independently tested on this product and cannot be confirmed absent without third-party certification.
Ink and print contamination
No printing or branding is visible on standard kraft straws; if this product includes printed logos, food-safe inks must be confirmed. Currently, no information suggests this product is printed.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Who Gives A Crap kraft paper straws are made from bleached or unbleached kraft pulp, typically without synthetic polymer coatings. Kraft paper is mechanically strong due to long cellulose fibers and requires minimal chemical processing compared to virgin fiber alternatives. The key distinction is whether a water-based or synthetic coating is used for water resistance; uncoated kraft absorbs liquid but biodegrades fully, while coated versions maintain integrity longer but introduce coating chemistry that should be disclosed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Who Gives A Crap (an Australian sustainability-focused brand) does not publicly disclose PFAS test results or coatings chemistry on their kraft straw product page as of available records. The brand emphasizes compostability and plastic-free credentials but provides minimal third-party testing documentation for individual products. No established recalls or safety controversies are on record for this product, and the brand's overall positioning around minimal packaging and certifications (e.g., FSC claims) suggests materials-first thinking, though direct supplier transparency on coating treatments remains limited.
How it compares in its category
Kraft paper straws sit in the middle-to-safe tier of single-use straw alternatives. Unlike plastic (PLA/polypropylene) straws, which carry microplastic and additive risk, or bamboo straws (variable pesticide residue and mold risk), kraft paper avoids persistent synthetic chemistry. Compared to stainless-steel or glass reusables, they trade durability and chemical purity for true disposability and lower manufacturing impact. Most kraft paper straws on the market are similarly uncoated or water-coated; Who Gives A Crap's advantage is brand transparency on sustainability claims rather than unique chemical safety.
If you buy it
Use straws in cold to warm beverages (avoid boiling-hot drinks, which soften kraft fiber faster). Replace them immediately if visible softening, discoloration, or fiber separation occurs, as structural failure can lead to straw fragments in beverage. If the product is coated, confirm with the brand whether coating is food-grade and PFAS-free before sustained use with vulnerable populations (young children, pregnant individuals). Store in a dry place; kraft absorbs moisture and degrades faster in humid conditions, so compost or discard within 1-2 months of purchase if not used.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More paper straws grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.