Dr. Lal Ji Singh, scientist and in charge at the Botanical Survey of India‘s Andaman and Nicobar Islands Regional Center in Port Blair, found that the bamboo species Schizostachyum andamanicum, endemic to the islands, was an ideal green alternative to plastic straws.
Discovered on the islands about two decades ago, this bamboo has a thin large hollow erect stem with long internodes. The sections of the stem between the nodes are cut to the length of a drinking straw, either by machine or manually, and then the stem sheath and solid nodes are removed.
Singh says, “After I registered the invention with the patent office under the title Reusable Straw and Its Manufacturing, I took 5,000 sample straws and distributed it during the World Environment Day Celebrations held in New Delhi earlier this year.”
A bamboo straw is biodegradable, and additionally, it can be reused for years. And the cost? Just half a cent per piece.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
