Are you a restaurant owner? Do you want to cut down your expenses and become a more environment-friendly business? Then a great way to start is by buying paper straws in bulk.
A recent study revealed that around 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute beaches. These straws cause all sorts of ecological imbalance and issues for marine life.
Thankfully, businesses like Starbucks are starting to ditch plastic straws for paper alternatives. Even cities in the United States like Seattle started to ban plastic straws.
But as a restaurant owner, shifting to paper straws involves different factors. You need to know where to buy straws in bulk. You also need to explain to your patrons why you are making the shift.
Continue reading below as we discuss the value of using paper straws and why you must buy in bulk.
Buying Paper Straws in Bulk: Why You Need to Switch
Why do you need to buy paper straws in bulk? Is the shift a wise and economical decision to begin with? To answer these questions, you need to look into the benefits and advantages.
Let’s take a look at them below:
1. More Affordable
Buying paper straws in bulk is more affordable, relatively speaking. Much like the discounts you get from buying other items in bulk, you can also enjoy savings and discounts when buying paper straws wholesale.
This is because buying straws in a wholesale manner skips the need to go through a middle man. Buying in bulk means going directly to the manufacturer. Or in some cases, you are connecting with suppliers that are one or two steps away from the manufacturer.
The closer you are to the makers of the straw, the cheaper you can get the items. But be aware of the upfront fees. You may need to pay a certain amount to secure the straws at a lower price.
These upfront fees may come in the form of a membership. And in case you plan to sell paper straws in your restaurant, you may need to secure a resale license first.
2. Save More Time
Purchasing straws in bulk will also save you more time. Instead of buying straws weekly, you can purchase thousands of pieces in one fell swoop. This saves you not only time but also resources.
Buying in bulk means fewer trips to your supplier. This means you can maximize your fuel consumption.
3. Better Inventory Management
Buying in bulk also helps your business manage inventory. Even before you buy paper straws, you already have an idea of how many straws you use in a week or month.
Since you already have a huge amount of straws in your warehouse, you can easily divide them according to your weekly requirements.
This also means you will have fewer instances of inventory disruption. Buying in bulk reduces the risk of running out of supplies of paper straws.
Buying wholesale means you can allocate a buffer in case your restaurant experiences a sudden spike in customers.
For example, you may want to introduce a new beverage to your patrons. If you already have a large customer base, you can expect a majority of them to give your new drink a try.
In this case, your wholesale purchase ensures that you will have enough straws to cover all orders.
4. Faster Decomposition
The next two benefits revolve around the paper straw, particularly its key characteristics. And by buying in bulk, the more you will be able to maximize these characteristics.
First, paper straws decompose faster than plastic straws. Because they are biodegradable, they can decompose in 2 to 6 weeks. This is if they end up in the landfill.
In case someone throws his paper straw in the sea, it will break down within three days max.
On the flip side, a plastic straw takes way longer to disintegrate. A single plastic straw can take over 200 years before it breaks down in a landfill. The bigger problem is when they reach the seas.
Because they take over a hundred years to break down, they can cause lasting harm in marine life. Studies say that over 1 million marine creatures die annually because of plastic debris. These include fish, turtles, mammals, and sharks that rely on the ocean for survival.
5. Recyclable
The paper straws that you bought are not only biodegradable, but they are also recyclable. They are also versatile especially if you are in the business of catering and food styling.
Aside from limiting the paper straws for drinking purposes, you can use them to decorate cakes. You can also use them in your props and designs.
If you have a creative team, they can also use some of the paper straws and turn them into DIY toys. With inventory not a problem, you will discover many uses for your paper straws.
Transitioning to Paper Straws
As we mentioned earlier, transitioning from plastic to paper straws may not be easy for some. But if you are serious at becoming a greener business, you need to adopt the right way.
Switching abruptly to paper straws may not sit well with some of your customers. Hence, make the transition gradually. Start by placing a notice saying “straws upon request.”
Another is through education. Educate your managers and other employees about the benefits of using paper straws. You want your staff to apply the change on a personal level.
Thereafter, educate your customers. Tell them about the environmental dangers of plastic straws. Explain to them why you are moving to paper straws.
If you carefully explain your decision and understand the bigger picture, they will appreciate your business even more.
Get the Best Paper Straws in Town!
By choosing to buy paper straws in bulk, you will enjoy more savings while becoming friendlier to the environment. But not all paper straws are the same. You must go for straws that are safe and water-resistant.
Thankfully, you came to the right place. We offer high-quality paper straws that are FDA and EU Food Grade-compliant. Call us today and let us know what you need.
Let’s discuss your options and so you can start using the best paper straws in town!
