The University of Maine (UMaine),a New England Council member, has partnered with Alex Bennett, a Bangor native, to research the types of grains that grow best in Maine to support Bennett’s work to develop an all-natural drinking straw.
Researchers at the University are currently studying 10 types of wheats and grains, including winter rye, red fife wheat, and triticale, to determine what types of grain grow best in Maine. Bennett will use the information collected by University researchers to determine what variety is best for creating natural drinking straws. Bennett is a former U.S. Marine, who was stationed in Germany when he came up with the idea of creating Straw Straws. The goal of the project is to move away from plastic straws which end up in landfills for several years.
Bennett stated, “What this will do is give me more knowledge about the best way to adapt the production methods to the Maine climate. What this will allow me to do is produce a strong drinking straw that is not made out of plastic.”
The New England Council applauds UMaine for working on this project in environmental sustainability.
For more information see the University of Maine press release, or the article in Bangor Daily News.
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