Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025

HAY! Straws is an innovative California-based sustainable product company specializing in the design and manufacture of 100% natural, compostable alternatives to single-use plastic straws and cutlery. Headquartered in San Francisco, HAY! Straws was founded with the mission to reduce plastic waste by providing high-performance eco-friendly products made from agricultural by-products such as wheat and reed stems.

HAY! Straws products are widely used in restaurants, cafés, hotels, and hospitality venues seeking certified compostable, plastic-free solutions that are both functional and aesthetically appealing. The company serves clients across North America, Europe, and Australasia with a strong direct-to-business e-commerce model and distribution network.

Core Business

HAY! Straws’ core business lies in the production and wholesale of natural drinking straws, stir sticks, and bamboo cutlery that biodegrade quickly without requiring industrial composting conditions. All products are made from renewable resources like wheat stems, reed grass, and bamboo—harvested, sanitized, and processed with minimal environmental impact.

The company’s product line is designed to meet the needs of foodservice operators looking for both regulatory compliance and sustainability credibility, especially in markets where single-use plastic bans are enforced.

Product and Service Offerings

The HAY! Straws catalog includes:

• Drinking Straws

  • Original Wheat Stem Straws: Sizes include Cocktail (5") and Tall (7.75")
  • Jumbo Reed Straws: 8" natural reed grass straws ideal for thicker beverages
  • All variants available wrapped and unwrapped, bulk and retail ready

• Stir Sticks

  • Made from rigid plant stems, ideal for cocktails and hot drinks

• Cutlery

  • Bamboo Forks, Knives, and Spoons available as sets
  • Reusable, washable, and fully compostable
  • Packaged in compostable sleeves or kraft paper

• Wholesale and Custom Packaging

  • Bulk cartons for restaurants and hotels
  • Private label options available for select volumes

Specialization and Core USP

HAY! Straws stands out as one of the first companies to commercialize wheat and reed straws at scale for the foodservice industry. Key differentiators and USPs include:

• 100% Biodegradable: No plastic, no PLA, no additives
• Home Compostable: Disintegrates naturally in household conditions
• Non-Soggy, Heat-Tolerant Design: Maintains structure in cold or hot beverages for hours
• Allergen-Free: Wheat stem straws contain no gluten or protein residues
• Carbon Conscious Supply Chain: Minimal emissions through low-impact harvesting and manufacturing

The brand is particularly appealing to hospitality businesses pursuing LEED certification or aligning with zero-waste goals.

Financials and Business Scale

HAY! Straws has experienced consistent growth driven by rising global demand for sustainable alternatives in foodservice:

• Estimated annual revenue (2024): $3.5–5 million
• Sales channels: B2B e-commerce, Amazon, distributor partnerships
• Distribution: Serves over 6,000 clients worldwide, including hotel groups and franchise chains
• Export markets: USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, Japan

The company runs a lean operations model, with fulfillment centers in the U.S. and Southeast Asia to optimize shipping lead times.

Shipment and Export Data

• Monthly average exports: 1.5 million straws and 250,000 cutlery pieces
• Top international clients: Sustainable hotels, eco-resorts, boutique coffee chains
• Shipping partners: FedEx, DHL, and sea freight forwarding for bulk orders
• Customs-ready documentation and certifications provided for EU, UK, AU markets

All products meet compostability and packaging standards in countries with plastic legislation.

Target Market

HAY! Straws serves:

• Quick-service restaurants, boba and smoothie shops
• Hotels, resorts, bars, and clubs
• Event venues and stadiums
• Distributors of sustainable packaging
• Retail and e-commerce customers seeking certified compostable options

Their ideal client values low-waste packaging, natural aesthetics, and compliance with regional bans on single-use plastics.

Capabilities

• In-house design and QC of straws and cutlery
• Custom sizing and branding for large-volume clients
• Global fulfillment from U.S. and Asia
• Multilingual customer service team
• Private label services for eco brands and event organizers

HAY! Straws also supports marketing and signage kits for businesses to communicate their plastic-free efforts to customers.

Certifications and Compliance

• Home Compostable Certified (ASTM D6868, EN 13432 equivalent)
• BPI Certification Pending for 2025 rollout
• Plastic-Free and BPA-Free
• FDA Food Contact Approved
• Compliant with California Prop 65 and EU Packaging and Waste Directive

All products are lab-tested and documentation is made available to distributors and clients.

Customer Testimonials

“HAY! Straws give us the sustainability our clients demand—plus they actually work better than paper straws.”
— Beverage Director, California Hotel Chain

“A beautiful and functional product that aligns with our zero-waste values. No soggy mess, ever.”
— Café Owner, Melbourne, Australia

“Our bar guests love the natural look. These straws are a real talking point, and composting them is simple.”
— Restaurant Manager, London

Major Achievements

• Distributed over 100 million compostable straws worldwide since launch
• Named one of Fast Company’s “Next Big Things in Sustainability”
• Partnered with 10+ hospitality chains for custom sustainability programs
• Featured in Forbes, Green Matters, and Hospitality Design Magazine
• Expanded into Asia-Pacific and European markets with certified distributors in 2023–2024
• Recognized by Surfrider Foundation for contributions to plastic-free coastline initiatives

HAY! Straws continues to innovate at the forefront of plant-based alternatives, empowering hospitality and retail partners to transition from plastic to nature—with style, performance, and environmental responsibility.