Who Gives A Crap · Paper Straws
World Centric Kraft Paper Straws
Lower PFAS concern, plain kraft paper straws rarely require PFAS treatments, but verify no grease-resistant coatings are present.
World Centric Kraft Paper Straws are made from plain kraft paper, which does not inherently require PFAS-based water or grease barriers like Teflon-family coating coatings. The brand does not disclose PFAS-related testing or certification, and no independent lab data is publicly available.
Shop Who Gives A Crap on Amazon →Material
Kraft paper (uncoated/minimally treated)
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
These are uncoated kraft paper straws, made from wood pulp processed with minimal chemical treatment. Kraft paper is inherently low-risk because it avoids plastic polymers, synthetic coatings, and the chemical additives common in mainstream straws. The manufacturing process does involve bleaching and pulping chemicals, but residual exposure in a single-use straw is negligible; kraft paper is food-contact approved by FDA as a category. No Teflon-family coating or water-resistant coating is listed in available product descriptions, which is the key safety advantage here.
The brand's record and disclosure
Who Gives A Crap (the parent company) markets sustainability and ethical sourcing but does not publish detailed chemical test reports or third-party certifications for these straws on the product page. The brand's PFAS stance is silent, meaning no explicit commitment to PFAS-free sourcing is documented. The company has built reputation on environmental claims, but safety disclosure lags behind competitors like Aardvark or Paperstraw that provide bleach certifications or compostability third-party verification. No safety recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated kraft straws sit at the lower-hazard end of the straw market, ahead of plastic and silicone options but comparable to other plain paper competitors. Many mainstream paper straws (including budget brands) use similar uncoated kraft, so the safety profile is standard, not premium. The distinction is that Who Gives A Crap does not claim additional certifications (e.g., chlorine-free, heavy-metal tested) that would elevate it above baseline kraft. It is materially safer than plastic alternatives but less transparent than leading eco-straw brands.
If you buy it
Use these straws in cold or warm (not hot) beverages; uncoated paper will soften and break down in near-boiling liquid within 15-20 minutes. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold or mildew growth in the paper, which is a concern with any plant-fiber product in humid conditions. Compost after use (they are compostable), but do not reuse or wash repeatedly, as paper fiber degrades and may shed fine particles. If straws become visibly discolored, moldy, or develop odor, discard them; these are signs of microbial colonization.
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.”
Pulp bleaching residues (chlorine, chlorine dioxide)
Kraft paper is bleached during manufacturing, but FDA-approved food-contact paper products are assessed for residual bleach safety. No bleach residue incidents or contamination data are on record for this product. Brand does not specify whether paper is chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF).
Microorganism colonization and mold
Uncoated paper is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture) and can support mold, mildew, or bacterial growth if stored in humid conditions or if straws are wetted and left damp. This is a product-handling risk, not a manufacturing defect. Proper dry storage and immediate composting mitigate this.
Ink or print adhesive on packaging
The straws themselves are unprinted, but the kraft box/wrap may contain soy-based or petroleum-based inks and adhesives. No direct contact with straws, and no contamination incidents reported. Standard for the category.
Fiber fragmentation under heat or prolonged contact
Plain kraft paper can soften, shed fine fibers, or fragment if exposed to near-boiling water or reused repeatedly. This is a physical degradation concern rather than a chemical leaching hazard, but may leave paper particles in beverage over time.
Heavy metals in pulp or dyes (if any color added)
These straws are natural kraft (tan/beige), with no colored dyes listed. Natural kraft avoids azo dye or heavy-metal pigment risks. If a colored variant exists, pigment source would need verification.
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.