Earlier in 2019, the government announced it would ban plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England to help combat plastic waste. The ban, which will come into force in April 2020, does include exemptions to allow those with medical needs or a disability continued access to plastic straws.

This announcement has increased the need for alternatives to plastic straws that allow both businesses and individuals the option to make more sustainable choices. This was the thinking behind the launch of Raws, a new straw brand thought up by the Swedish entrepreneur Eyoel Lundberg.

Lundberg wanted to create a 100% natural, bio-degradable reed straw. Raws are made from wheat stems grown in Sweden and, as their website claims, the brand isn’t setting out to be preachy or asking people to compromise. They’re simply offering a better, more environmentally friendly alternative. The reusable straws even work with hot drinks and will biodegrade naturally after use.

Raws worked with Manifest to create the brand manifesto, which includes everything from name and purpose to identity. The tone of voice is punchy and playful, not shying away from the realities of the single-use plastic issue. The name Raws came from both a play on the material used as well as literally coming from the word ‘straws’ itself.

It often feels as though the conversation around single-use plastic originated with the dangers of plastic straws when it comes to polluting the world’s oceans and also endangering the lives of turtles.

But, while there have been many calls to ban them, viable alternatives for both businesses and individuals have seemingly been in short supply. Raws aims to change this by providing an easy to use substitute or, as they say, by creating “A straw that doesn’t suck, naturally.”