We strive to be as flexible as possible and work with all types of businesses, small and large.
Our straws have no MOQ requirements. However, our customised options do. If you’d like a free quote, feel free to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Bambu, we are always happy to help. Whether you have a wholesale enquiry or if you’d simply like to find out more about our products or how you can work with us, please feel free to contact us. Our team will get back to you within 24 hours.
General FAQs
Can you provide samples of your straws?
Yes, we are always happy to provide samples.
Do you offer any eco-friendly packaging options?
At Bambu, we only provide plastic-free packaging options.
If your business requires individually wrapped straws, we can provide either plain kraft paper or kraft paper with your custom design.
We are working with our manufacturers towards a waste-free packaging solution by 2025.
How long have you been in the straw business?
Our Auckland-based business was founded in 2022 by Dylan, Oliwia, and Tom, to offer sustainable straws to reduce single-use waste and elevate the Kiwi drinking experience.
Sugarcane FAQs
Where is your sugarcane sourced?
Our bagasse (sugarcane fibre) is sourced in Taiwan and recycled into bio-materials.
What are sugarcane straws made of?
The sugarcane straws are made from sugarcane fibres (bagasse) and a bio-material.
Our straws are plastic-free certified and are home and commercially compostable certified. We have worked hard to make sure they are strong in your drink and soft on the environment.
How are your sugarcane straws better than other disposable straw options?
Sugarcane straws are designed for single use (although can withstand 100 dishwashing cycles – certified) and are water-resistant for 24 hours. Unlike paper straws, sugarcane straws are strong and won’t get soggy while you’re sipping!
Sugarcane straws are made by transforming bagasse into bio-materials that are used to craft our sugarcane straws. They are home and commercially compostable certified. They do not contribute to plastic pollution and break down naturally in a few weeks, unlike plastic straws which can take hundreds of years to decompose.
Sugarcane straws are made from natural, non-toxic materials and do not contain harmful chemicals or toxins. Plastic straws may contain harmful chemicals like BPA, which can leach into beverages and pose health risks. Paper straws are generally safe for use, but some may be coated with a thin layer of wax or plastic lining to enhance durability, which can introduce a small amount of non-biodegradable material that isn’t meant for ingestion or recycling plants.
Do you offer customisation options?
Yes, we offer customisable individual paper wrapping for our sugarcane straws to allow your business to showcase its brand. Please visit our wholesale page for more info.
Are your sugarcane straws compostable?
Yes, our sugarcane straws are 100% home and commercially compostable.
They can be broken down into organic matter through composting, which helps in enriching soil. It is important to dispose of them at a composting facility or your home compost bin rather than regular waste bins.
Are sugarcane straws suitable for all types of beverages?
Sugarcane straws are suitable for a wide range of cold and hot beverages, including water, juices, sodas, smoothies, cocktails, coffee, and bubble tea.
We offer a range of sizes to accommodate any drinking scenario.
What sizes and styles of sugarcane straws do you offer?
Our straws come in four sizes:
(Width) 6mm, 8mm & 12mm
(Length) 14cm (only available with our 6mm width cocktail straw), 21cm and 25cm (for boba straws specifically)
Bevelled-cut options are available on request and flat-end options are available for all straw sizes.
What is the expected lifetime of a sugarcane straw and can it get soggy?
Sugarcane straws can become slightly soft when in contact with liquid for an extended period. However, ours are designed to maintain their structure for a reasonable duration of up to 24 hours, ensuring a satisfying drinking experience.
Our sugarcane straws are intended for disposable use as they are 100% home and commercially compostable.
Are sugarcane straws safe to use?
The process of producing sugarcane straws is strictly monitored to provide you with a clean, natural choice of plastic alternatives. We follow the standard of the EU’s REACH legislation and our straws are SVHC certified.
They are also odourless and tasteless, ensuring that they do not affect the flavour of beverages.
Our sugarcane straws are safe for individuals with diabetes or glucose-sensitive conditions. The straws are made from the processed plant fibres of sugarcane, without any sugar content. They are certified food safe and do not affect the composition of foods or liquids they come in contact with.
How do I store sugarcane straws?
Sugarcane straws should be stored at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. They can be stored for up to 12 months. It is completely natural that sugarcane straws show signs of fragmentation after the recommended storage period. However, without any apparent deformation, they can still withstand normal usage.
Are sugarcane straws suitable for hot drinks?
Our sugarcane straws are heatproof up to 90°C, we recommend you use them in cold or warm drinks.
How long does it take for sugarcane straws to decompose?
Our sugarcane straws can be decomposed over 70% within 12 weeks, and 100% within approximately 24 weeks, all under natural conditions.
Sugarcane straws v.s. Paper straws ?
Making paper straws involves deforestation. Despite being seemly natural, some paper straws are coated with plastic coatings and dyes, which make them a way less sustainable choice than sugarcane straws. In terms of usage and durability, sugarcane straws don’t get soggy in drinks even after 24 hours and can withstand several times of usage.
Sugarcane straws v.s. Stainless steel straws?
Despite the durability, the carbon footprint of making a metal straw is way higher than a sugarcane straw. It is also hard to keep them hygienic without proper cleaning. Similar to plastic straws, stainless metal straws also need more than 200 years to degrade and due to modern recycling technologies, they often became metal waste in the ocean and landfills.
Sugarcane straws v.s. Plastic straws?
According to research, a single-use plastic straw needs up to 200 years to degrade. As a result, billions of them end up in landfills and the ocean every day. Besides this, plastic straws are petroleum sourced and since they are not degradable, they also pose a harmful influx and microplastic pollution to our environment. Sugarcane straws are plant-based, naturally sourced and compostable. They are developed because we want to invite you to take part in the action of making our planet a better world to live in, with a small change of behaviour you can make.
Bamboo FAQs
Where is your bamboo sourced?
Our bamboo is sourced in the Northern regions of Vietnam by local farmers.
Our FSC-certified raw material suppliers use sustainable bamboo sourcing practices — harvesting mature Vietnamese luong bamboo without using any chemicals or pesticides.
What is your bamboo manufacturing process?
Our manufacturing process happens in Hanoi, Vietnam, where our manufacturer’s factory produces all of our bamboo products.
The bamboo straw manufacturing process involves:
- Transporting harvested bamboo to our factory
- Naturally drying the stems in the sun
- Cleaning the bamboo bark
- Cutting and measuring the stems
- Sanding and polishing the straws for a smooth texture
- Boiling the straws in sea salt water for 6 hours
- Rinsing the straws thoroughly through a commercial water cleaner
- Drying the straws through a commercial bamboo drying machine
- Applying a natural oil coating and sit to air dry
- Quality control and selection for shipping
What sizes and styles of bamboo straws do you offer?
Our straws come in two sizes:
- (Width) 8-11mm and 12-14mm
- (Length) 15cm and 20cm
Bevelled cut options are available in our 20cm length straws, while flat-end options are available for all straw sizes.
How do you ensure the quality and safety of your bamboo straws?
Our bamboo straws are naturally plant-based, plastic-free, chemical-free, and 100% biodegradable. They are sustainably sourced, harvesting mature bamboo plants, and sustainably produced.
The quality of our straws is checked twice, firstly at the manufacturing facility and then again before shipment. All of our products are SGS and FDA certified, meaning they have been lab tested for consumer safety.
Do you offer customisation options?
Yes, we offer customisation options such as laser engravings and individual paper wrapping on our bamboo straws to showcase your brand. Please visit our wholesale page for more info.
What is the expected lifespan of your bamboo straws?
Bamboo straws can be re-used for up to six months if cleaned properly after each use.
What is the main point of difference with bamboo straws?
We look at bamboo as mother nature’s reusable straw.
It is a sustainable champion due to its fast growth and renewability. It can grow up to 91 cm per day, needing less water and no pesticides compared to other crops. It naturally biodegrades, but is also a great tool to repurpose if you don’t want to use it as a straw anymore. We have used our bamboo straws as plant supports, for cable management and many other quirky upcycling ways!