The Cobble Hill based company, Enviro Glass Straws, opened up in 2012, and is run by Leah Hayes and her husband, Tyler, who is a glass-blower by trade. They created the company in an effort to create an alternative to single use plastic straws, which end up in landfills.
Leah Hayes says the glass they use is an "old school" Pyrex.
"So Pyrex now, they use a glass called soda-lime glass, which isn't as thermal shock resistant as borosilicate glass. So borosilicate glass is what we use, and all of our borosilicate glass, the raw glass that we use, comes from a company called Simax, which is from the Czech Republic, and they're in their 175th year of family run operations."
She says the glass they use is the strongest grade of Pyrex that can be found, and are microwave, dishwasher, and heat safe.
Hayes says in order to be extra durable, they only make clear glass straws.
"Colour glass is less durable than clear glass. Colour glass can have toxins in it, so that's how you are getting the colour effect on the glass, is by using different metals and different chemicals. Since it's a product that you are drinking out of, we only use clear glass because we want to it to be as safe and durable as possible."
She adds that glass straws are not only better than single use plastic straws, but metal and paper straws as well. Metal straws are typically made in factories, and can have rough edges, a metallic taste, and breaks down with more acidic drinks. Paper straws also aren't great, because the glue they use can have toxins which aren't good to consume.
Hayes says the idea to create glass straws as an alternative is a move to stop building up trash in landfills, but more action needs to be taken, and straws are just a first step.
"From there I really feel like we need to [end] single use cutlery. We need to start having refill stations for your soaps: your dish soaps, your shampoos, conditioners. I know that Victoria and Vancouver have a lot of stores where you can go and refill your glass bottles, or even refill your plastic bottles. I really think that that's where we need to go in a whole for our communities."
She says her company has really expanded since they started in 2012, and that they now have a few employees to help with the operation. The price of their straws start at 9 dollars each, and come with a 5 year warranty.