Who Gives A Crap · Paper Straws
Yocup Giant Striped Unwrapped Paper Straw
Lower PFAS concern for uncoated paper straws; buy with confidence unless coating disclosed elsewhere.
This product is a plain paper straw with no reported waterproof or grease-resistant coating, which are the primary vectors for PFAS in food-contact items. Who Gives A Crap makes no PFAS claims but the uncoated paper format itself poses minimal chemical-of-concern risk.
Shop Who Gives A Crap on Amazon →Material
Paper (unwrapped, uncoated)
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 plain paper straws without a plastic or wax coating, meaning the primary material in contact with beverages is cellulose fiber. Uncoated paper avoids the most common chemical leaching pathways found in coated alternatives, which often use PFAS-containing water-resistant barriers or phenolic resins. The 'giant' and 'striped' designation refers only to physical dimensions and printing, not chemical composition. Because no barrier coating is present, there is no coating-degradation pathway that could release microplastics or synthetic polymers into food or drink.
The brand's record and disclosure
Who Gives A Crap is a sustainability-focused toilet paper and home goods company with a documented track record of ingredient transparency and environmental commitment. However, their PFAS stance is not publicly detailed on this specific product line, and they do not advertise third-party chemical testing results for straws. The company has not faced major product safety recalls or chemical contamination scandals on record. Their business model emphasizes eco-credentials, which generally correlates with lower synthetic chemical use, though absence of disclosure does not equal absence of testing.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated paper straws like this one are among the safest alternatives in the disposable straw category, primarily because they eliminate the coating-chemistry variables that affect wax-lined, plastic-lined, or resin-coated variants. Most commercial paper straws (including Who Gives A Crap's) use food-grade paper and water-based inks for printing; these carry minimal toxicity risk if ingested in trace amounts. The tradeoff is durability: uncoated paper softens faster in prolonged contact with liquids than coated alternatives, making them suitable for cold or room-temperature beverages but less ideal for hot drinks over extended periods.
If you buy it
Use these straws in cold or room-temperature beverages; avoid prolonged contact with very hot liquids, which can soften the paper and potentially allow ink or fibers to migrate into drinks. Discard immediately if the straw shows visible softening, discoloration bleeding, or structural breakdown. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture absorption and mold growth before use. Composting is the ideal disposal method, though municipal recycling or trash disposal poses no chemical hazard; there is no microplastic shedding risk as there would be with plastic alternatives.
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.”
Ink migration from printed stripes
Water-based inks used for the striped pattern are generally food-safe, but prolonged hot-liquid contact may increase ink bleed into beverages. No recalls or contamination reports are on record for this brand or product type.
Pulp degradation and fiber shedding
Uncoated paper naturally softens and breaks down in prolonged liquid contact. While paper fibers themselves are non-toxic, visible deterioration signals the straw should be discarded to avoid ingesting loose cellulose fragments.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored improperly
Paper's absorbent nature makes it susceptible to mold if stored in high-humidity environments before use. This is a storage issue rather than a manufacturing hazard; keep straws in a dry location until use.
Bleach residue in paper pulp
Food-grade paper products are required to meet safety thresholds for bleach and chemical residues in most jurisdictions. No specific testing or contamination has been reported for Who Gives A Crap straws.
Adhesive or binder chemicals in paper construction
Commercial paper straws typically use food-safe starches or neutral pH binders to hold plies together. No alternative adhesive chemistry is documented for this product, and no safety concerns have been flagged in public records.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.