In recent years, plastic straws have become controversial with some arguing that it has a negative effect on our environment. Thus, alternative straws made of bamboo or paper have become more popular. Now, a young entrepreneur from Vietnam has come up with a new straw alternative that might gain traction as well.

Tran Minh Tien is the owner of Ống Hút Cỏ, which makes straws out of wild grass. He managed to come up with the idea of turning Lepironia Articulata or co bang into straws, and this grass can be found in the Mekong Delta region in southwestern Vietnam. The grass is known for having a hollow stem, making it perfect for straw usage.

Tien’s workers harvest and wash the grass before cutting 8-inch pieces and cleaning the inside with an iron rod. Once they are finished, the straws are wrapped in banana leaves and left to dry out in the sun for 22 days. Later, they are baked in an oven before going out on the market.

Alternative drinking straw made out of wild grass by Vietnamese,Tran Minh Tien. He sells them to restaurants and best yet, the straws are biodegradable. #Cleanseas #BeatPlasticPollution #PlasticFreeChallenge #PlasticRevolution #MombasaNext #MombasaLiterFree #iamacyclit pic.twitter.com/RNKESsr3KQ

— Picasso (@MistariPicasso) April 5, 2019

Tien has suggested that the straws be stored in airtight bags in the fridge before they are used. One of the most fun things about these straws is that they are edible! In fact, many like to chew the straws after finishing their meals to clean their teeth. After all, the grass used in the straws are clean, as they have no preservatives, chemicals, toxins and other dangerous substances.

One dried straw can be bought for 1,000 Vietnamese dong ($0.043), and a fresh straw costs 600 Vietnamese dong ($ 0.026).