Paper straws may not be the green choice many thought, new government study finds

A South Korean government study indicates that paper straws may not be the environmentally friendly option previously assumed. The research found that plastic straws caused less environmental harm than paper straws across most measured categories. Notably, paper straws scored more than six times higher on a specific measure of cancer-causing pollution compared to their plastic counterparts, challenging the common perception that switching to paper materials is a greener choice for the planet and human health.