Who Gives A Crap · Paper Straws
Durable Kraft Paper Straws
Lower concern, kraft paper straws rarely require PFAS-based treatments, but buy only if uncoated or ask brand directly.
Who Gives A Crap's kraft paper straws use a material category (paper) that typically does not require fluorinated coatings. However, the brand has not publicly disclosed PFAS status or water-resistant treatment details. No third-party certification or lab data is publicly available for this specific product.
Shop Who Gives A Crap on Amazon →Material
Kraft paper (uncoated or water-based coating)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
food packaging is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Who Gives A Crap kraft paper straws are made from bleached or unbleached kraft pulp, typically without synthetic polymer coatings. Kraft paper is mechanically strong due to long cellulose fibers and requires minimal chemical processing compared to virgin fiber alternatives. The key distinction is whether a water-based or synthetic coating is used for water resistance; uncoated kraft absorbs liquid but biodegrades fully, while coated versions maintain integrity longer but introduce coating chemistry that should be disclosed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Who Gives A Crap (an Australian sustainability-focused brand) does not publicly disclose PFAS test results or coatings chemistry on their kraft straw product page as of available records. The brand emphasizes compostability and plastic-free credentials but provides minimal third-party testing documentation for individual products. No established recalls or safety controversies are on record for this product, and the brand's overall positioning around minimal packaging and certifications (e.g., FSC claims) suggests materials-first thinking, though direct supplier transparency on coating treatments remains limited.
How it compares in its category
Kraft paper straws sit in the middle-to-safe tier of single-use straw alternatives. Unlike plastic (PLA/polypropylene) straws, which carry microplastic and additive risk, or bamboo straws (variable pesticide residue and mold risk), kraft paper avoids persistent synthetic chemistry. Compared to stainless-steel or glass reusables, they trade durability and chemical purity for true disposability and lower manufacturing impact. Most kraft paper straws on the market are similarly uncoated or water-coated; Who Gives A Crap's advantage is brand transparency on sustainability claims rather than unique chemical safety.
If you buy it
Use straws in cold to warm beverages (avoid boiling-hot drinks, which soften kraft fiber faster). Replace them immediately if visible softening, discoloration, or fiber separation occurs, as structural failure can lead to straw fragments in beverage. If the product is coated, confirm with the brand whether coating is food-grade and PFAS-free before sustained use with vulnerable populations (young children, pregnant individuals). Store in a dry place; kraft absorbs moisture and degrades faster in humid conditions, so compost or discard within 1-2 months of purchase if not used.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Coating leachables (if present)
Who Gives A Crap does not disclose whether coatings are applied; if water-based acrylic or PVA is used, leaching risk is minimal, but synthetic polymer coatings (including old-generation Teflon-type coating) cannot be ruled out without direct verification from the brand.
Bleach residue and chlorine compounds
Kraft paper is typically oxygen-bleached or chlorine-free bleached in modern mills; however, residual chlorine or dioxins from conventional bleaching are not independently tested on this product and cannot be confirmed absent without third-party certification.
Ink and print contamination
No printing or branding is visible on standard kraft straws; if this product includes printed logos, food-safe inks must be confirmed. Currently, no information suggests this product is printed.
Mold and microbial growth (post-use storage)
Kraft paper's porous, cellulose-rich structure can harbor mold if stored damp or in humid conditions. This is a post-purchase storage hazard, not a manufacturing one, but relevant if straws are kept in a drawer or bag with moisture.
Fiber fragmentation and ingestion risk
If straws soften or degrade during use, small fiber pieces may shed into beverage. While cellulose is non-toxic, straw fragments are a choking and swallowing irritation hazard, particularly for young children or individuals with swallowing difficulties.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Paper Straws
World Centric
Compostable Straws
Plant-based cellulose (PHA/PLA blend), compostable
Lower-concern choice; compostable material + explicit PFAS-free claim + third-party certifications reduce risk substantially.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Vegware
Compostable Standard Straws (6500ct)
Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic
Lower concern; compostable PLA straws with credible third-party compostability certs and explicit PFAS-free positioning.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Vegware
Green stripe Jumbo Vegware wrapped PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) compostable plastic
Lower concern; PLA itself carries minimal PFAS risk, and Vegware makes no intentional additions, but verify end-of-life composting.
⚠Risky category by default
More paper straws grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.