Why we are different
You can use OMAO straws as you normally would with any traditional plastic straw, but without worrying about the disposal method as it is truly biodegradable. You can throw it away after you are done, knowing the straw will disappear in about 90 days! While most of the so-called "green" straws are made of PLA (Polylactic acid, or "corn-plastic"), OMAO straws are made of PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates), a naturally-occurring material derived from vegetable oil that will naturally breakdown to CO2 and H2O.
Specs
Samples Available
Jumbo 7.75” x 0.216” (197mm x 5.5mm)
Giant 7.75” x 0.276” (197mm x 7mm)
Cocktail 5.75” x 0.137” (146mm x 3.5mm)
Boba 9.50" x 0.433" (241mm x 11mm)
Meet OMAO biodegradable straws
Never soggy, disappear in 90 days
Yes, it’s possible to protect the environment without suffering through a paper straw
Our products are
Biodegradable
Eco-friendly
Home Compostable
BPA Free
FAQ
How are OMAO straws better than paper straws?
OMAO straws do not fall apart in your drink nor do they alter the taste during consumption. When you drink your iced coffee and cocktails, you can use OMAO straws as you normally would with any traditional plastic straw, but without worrying about hurting the environment because they are truly biodegradable. You can throw it away after you are done, knowing the used straw will disappear in about 90 days!
Are OMAO straws recyclable and/or compostable?
Home compostable. OMAO straws are fully biodegradable and non-toxic, earth-friendly alternatives to plastic straws, and will decompose in about 90 days.
What kind of material are OMAO straws made of?
OMAO straws are made of PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates), an advanced, groundbreaking bioplastic that will naturally breakdown to CO2 and H2O. PHA is a naturally-occurring material derived from vegetable oil.
What makes OMAO straws different from all the other ‘green’ straws I’ve seen?
Most of the so-called ‘green’ straws are made of PLA (Polylactic acid, or ‘corn-plastic). PLA straws only break down in a strictly controlled composting environment. Indeed, PLA straws could take anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill, just as bad as traditional petroleum-based plastic straws!
What are our customers saying?
Love these biodegradable straws. I can’t tell a difference between OMAO straws and those traditional plastic ones. They work perfectly well.
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Our Story
New York City-based OMAO was founded upon a common frustration: paper straws suck! As busy professionals hustling through Manhattan, we all rely on our morning cup of coffee to start the day. Although we care about the plastic pollution problem plaguing our planet, paper straws are simply terrible! They get soggy within minutes and often add a weird taste and texture to the drink.
So, we started to think: What if we create a straw that doesn’t crumble but still benefits the environment?
Driven by this mission, we pitched our idea in the ‘Alliance Social Enterprise Challenge’, an international competition hosted by Columbia University, Sciences Po, Ecole Polytechnique and Paris 1 – Panthéon Sorbonne. OMAO was awarded as the first runner-up and champion of Columbia University!
In 2020, a diverse team of people from different races, genders, and professional backgrounds joined forces to officially launch OMAO, a socially responsible company.
Founding Team
Alex Zhang
Leir Oren
Kristy Reed
Kevin Kwok
Chris Chen
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