Manufactured by Florida’s Strawfish, the straws look and feel like plastic but biodegrade quickly in the environment. They are also safe for people with shellfish allergies to use because the shells are extensively cleaned and treated, according to Kevin Simmonds, owner of New Brunswick’s Red Herring pub, which made the switch after several other straw options left a soggy taste in customers’ mouths.
“I think there’s lots of opportunities for other businesses to pursue the same thing,” Simmonds told CBC. “If we make other people aware, then maybe other people will, you know, jump on the bandwagon — other restaurants, other bars.”