Editing Drinking straw (section)

=== Plastic ===
[[File:Drinking straws 2 2018-10-16.jpg|thumb|Plastic drinking straws in a container]]

The most common form of drinking straw is made of the thermoplastic polymer [[polypropylene]]. This plastic is known for its durability, lightness, and ability to be manufactured at a low cost.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Malpass|first1=Dennis B.|last2=Band|first2=Elliot I.|date=2012-06-18|title=Introduction to Industrial Polypropylene|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781118463215|doi=10.1002/9781118463215|isbn=9781118463215}}</ref> Other plastic polymers that exhibit these traits include polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal|last1=Viera|first1=João S.C.|last2=Marques|first2=Mônica R.C.|last3=Nazareth|first3=Monick Cruz|last4=Jimenez|first4=Paula Christine|last5=Castro|first5=Ítalo Braga|date=April 2020|title=On replacing single-use plastic with so-called biodegradable ones: The case with straws |journal=Environmental Science & Policy|language=en|volume=106|pages=177–181|doi=10.1016/j.envsci.2020.02.007|bibcode=2020ESPol.106..177V |s2cid=214458686}}</ref>

These attributes are what have made the traditional plastic straw ubiquitous in fast food establishments and take-out orders around the world. Additionally, other advantages of plastic straws include their ability to be molded into different shapes and sizes while also being able to withstand a wide range of temperatures without deforming.<ref>{{Cite book|date=1998-11-01|title=Polypropylene: the definitive user's guide and databook}}</ref> This is important because straws must be temperature resistant and thermally insulated because they can be used in both hot and cold beverages.

[[File:Drink with straw.jpg|thumb|upright|A pink articulated plastic straw in a cup of orange juice]]
One interesting variation of the plastic straw is the "'''bendy straw'''", commonly referred to in the industry as an "articulated straw". This straw has a [[concertina]]-type hinge near its top to allow for improved maneuverability of the straw when drinking a beverage, especially from a low angle. The articulated straw was invented by [[Joseph Friedman]] in 1937.<ref name="thompson2011" /> He quickly developed the straw after he saw his daughter struggling to use a normal straight straw.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Friedman and the Flexible Straw|url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/d8769.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404005224/https://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/d8769.htm|archive-date=4 April 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Brown on middeck with drink packet during STS-95.jpg|left|thumb|An astronaut using a plastic straw in space on the 1998 [[NASA]] mission [[STS-95]]. Straws help reduce the likelihood that liquids will escape containment and contaminate equipment within space vessels. Specially designed straws and other drinking equipment, such as [[hydration pack]]s can be used in high complexity environments where liquids can cause problems.]]
Another variation of the plastic straw, the "'''spoon straw'''", has a spoon-like tip at the bottom, and is often used with iced slush beverages.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Polar Krush launches 100% recyclable spoon straw for iced drinks|url=https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2019/04/12/Polar-Krush-launches-100-recyclable-spoon-straw-for-iced-drinks|access-date=20 January 2020|website=beveragedaily.com|date=12 April 2019 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

{{Anchor|stir straw}}"Stir straws" with a relatively short length and quite a narrow bore are often given along with disposable cups for preparing coffee or tea and serve the primary function of being able to stir in sugar, sweetener, cream, or non-dairy creamer, as well as allowing for sipping a hot beverage. Additionally, boba tea plastic straws with wider openings are commonly used to drink [[bubble tea]], to better accommodate its characteristic [[Tapioca|tapioca pearls]]. The tip of these straws is often cut at an angle creating a point which allows one to use the straw to puncture the plastic cover of bubble tea drinks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Would you pay $2 for a straw ? San Francisco bubble tea shops wrestle with plastic ban|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/08/03/2-straw-plastic-ban-may-cost-san-francisco-boba-shops/873009002/|access-date=6 August 2018|website=usatoday.com}}</ref>

Plastic straws can also be embellished with some forms marketed as "'''crazy straws'''", having a number of twists and turns at the top. These straws are often marketed and can be entertaining for young children.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hollander|first=Catherine|date=October 2014|title=A Brief History of the Straw|url=https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/history-of-the-straw|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907122223/https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/history-of-the-straw|archive-date=7 September 2015|access-date=20 September 2015|website=Bon Appetit Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Bluestone|first=Judith|title=The Fabric of Autism: Weaving the Threads into a Cogent Theory|date=2005|publisher=Sapphire Enterprises|isbn=9780972023528|page=182|chapter=Crazy Straw|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ym98jC_aEVcC&pg=PA182}}{{MEDRS|date=October 2018}}</ref> The crazy straw was invented by Arthur Philip Gildersleeve and patented in 1936.<ref>{{us patent|2063803|Drinking Tube}}</ref>