U of R research engineer creates innovative alternative to paper straws

WATCH: A U of R research engineer is tackling the issue of the dreaded soggy drinking straw. Trillian Reynoldson has more on this innovative idea that cuts waste without giving up function.Using food-grade material and agricultural crop residue, Denise Stilling created a environmentally-friendly straw that won’t disintegrate in your cup.

“When we were done with our corncobs we would feed them to the pigs,” she said . “The whole process of taking scraps and potato peels and putting them back in the garden, and recycling and reusing. I grew up on a mixed farm, so when we cleaned out the barn, that manure and waste went back into our soil and was part of natural fertilizer.”

“We take a tree that takes like 30 years to grow, so there’s that sort of thing that we’re taking away from the environment,” she said. “As well, the process involves harmful chemicals.”With the plastic ban and some frustration over the quality of paper straws, Stilling decided it was an opportune time to seek out investors for her product. Her company — EcoFlexPlus — is currently one of the top 20 Saskatchewan startups competing for capital in this year’s Startup TNT Investment Summit.

“We’re investing in a venture capital fashion,” he said. “We’re really looking to invest in high-growth, high-potential companies.”

Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)

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