theotherstraw

Lennart and Jamie, co founders of theotherstraw, smiling whilst holding bamboo straws

about us

our story

Oh hey, welcome — so happy you’re here.

We’re Jamie-Lee and Lennart, the couple behind theotherstraw.

With 8 million tons of plastic being dumped into our oceans every year, our marine life is swallowing more plastic than ever before.

Our journey started in 2018. We were fed up with the amount of plastic straws polluting our local beaches.

Plastic straws are one of the most picked up items during beach cleanups. They take hundreds, sometimes thousands of years to actually break down. 

So, we decided to do something about it and theotherstraw was born.

theotherstraw serves as a symbol to everything people can do in their everyday life to live a less wasteful lifestyle.

Since launching late 2018, we've kept over 43 million plastic straws from entering our oceans and landfills. We offer wholesale bamboo straws and partnered with some of Australia's biggest brands, hotel chains and festivals to help them go plastic-free.

To further our impact, we expanded our bamboo range in 2019. We introduced other ethical, reusable items to help people live more sustainably.  

our mission

Our mission is to make the world a more sustainable place. We do this by creating reusable and ethically-made products that help people to live a less wasteful lifestyle.


our vision

A world without plastics.

 

our planet goes first, always 

We never compromise and we don't take shortcuts.

Our planet is at the top of our agenda. We use plants to make our products, we send zero waste to landfill and have achieved carbon neutrality. You know, like how all things should be. 

we're carbon neutral  

We're a 100% carbon neutral business and all of our carbon is cancelled — from raw materials to the delivery to your doorstep. We've partnered with Carbon Neutral Australia, and with them, we are restoring forests and regenerating empty lands across Australia. 


Being carbon-neutral is a great start, but there is more that needs to be done. We've realised that reducing our emissions to zero is not enough. For this reason, we are committed to being climate positive by 2025.

why bamboo

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Here are a few reasons why it's the most sustainable option to sip with:

â—‹Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, in the right conditions bamboo can grow up to 1 meter in a single day.

â—‹Bamboo absorbs greenhouse gases.

â—‹Bamboo can help stop global warming. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases up to 35% more oxygen than trees.

â—‹Nearly zero waste! After our bamboo is harvested, nearly every part of the bamboo plant is used to create some sort of sustainable production. From enriching mulch to furniture to straws, bamboo is one of the most utilised plants in the world.

â—‹Bamboo is grown organically. Unlike other crops, bamboo requires no fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals to help it grow.

â—‹Bamboo can help stop deforestation. Nearly 1 million acres of forest are destroyed each week around the world to deforestation. Bamboo is a great substitute for timber and has the potential to protect millions of trees around the world.

 

our promise to you — and the Planet

ethically made products

Our bamboo straws are ethically handcrafted in Northern Vietnam. Fair wages are paid in a happy, safe setting. You know, like how all things should be.

giving back

Donating our sales $ to grassroots environmental groups. These groups are protecting our marine life and removing plastic from our oceans.

zero waste

All of our products and packaging are compostable and/or recyclable, meaning that there's no waste and nothing goes to landfill.

our farms

sustainable bamboo straws production

ethical sourcing

There are a lot of amazing people behind our straws. Whether they are harvesting our bamboo, or sewing our straw pouches, they all play a significant part of our business. We're responsible to make sure they are safe, healthy, provided with fair working conditions and fair wages — like it should be.

learn more about our ethical trading.

bamboo farms

farm locations

We have two farms in Vietnam. Our first farm is 60km outside of Hanoi and our second farm is in the beautiful Quảng Bình Province. Both our farms are run by local families who provide sustainable job opportunities for both women and men in their local villages.

learn more about our social impact.

vietnam bamboo forrest

why Vietnam

Vietnam has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity, ideal for growing bamboo. Vietnamese have been using bamboo for a long time. They use it for just about everything, from building houses to household equipment such as tables, chairs and lamps.

We are 1% For The Planet members as we want to further boost our support and love for our natural environments and oceans - something so important to us. As part of our pledge, we donate at least 1% of our annual revenue to grassroots environmental groups. These groups are out there working to preserve our natural wonders in the world and driving positive change. 

bamboo farmers vietnam

Our makers play an integral role in our business and help us build a more sustainable, fairer and just future for all.

get to know us

In 2019, we were featured on the Urban List through through our involvement in the ING Dreamstarter campaign. Want to know a little bit more about us? Check out the video below.

our partners

reach out to us personally

photo of Jamie-Lee Kay, Co Founder of theotherstraw

Jamie-Lee Kay

CO-FOUNDER | jamie@theotherstraw.com

EMAIL ME

photo of Lennart Meijer, Co Founder of theotherstraw

Lennart Meijer

CO-FOUNDER | lennart@theotherstraw.com

EMAIL ME

let's be friends

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