The nation’s newest paper straw manufacturer, Roc Paper Straws, is located in Rochester, New York, and makes and distributes a range of standard and custom-designed high-quality, eco-friendly paper drinking straws throughout the United States. The new company is one of only a handful of paper straw manufacturers in the United States, and the only one in New York State and the northeast. Roc Paper
Straws contain no forever chemicals, are non-toxic, and food grade. Roc Paper Straws was born out of need and a mission. Roc Paper Straws president, Karrie Laughton, is the owner of Lux Lounge, a popular and long-standing bar, located in Rochester’s trendy South Wedge neighborhood. Lux uses a lot of straws, and like her customers, Karrie wanted to do what she could to protect the environment. Replacing plastic straws with paper straws was one way she could do that. Finding high-quality durable paper straws was not easy. And what Laughton did find, were mostly made overseas with raw materials that were not food safety grade or of the quality that met her standards for durability in a drink. The market need was not being fulfilled by existing manufacturers. The biggest complaint amongst consumers is that some paper straws “get soggy” and fall apart. To prevent that Roc Paper Straws uses top quality materials including a thicker grade paper that will not disintegrate as quickly, and food-grade glue and dyes. The Roc Paper Straws product line is eco-friendly, biodegradable, marine-safe, and compostable. Their current product line includes wrapped and unwrapped, solid white, solid black and an array of standard color striped paper straws. It also offers custom-branded straws with customer logos. Products can be purchased online at rocpaperstraws.com. The company also operates a storefront at its manufacturing facility, where customers may pick up orders or just come in to buy what they need.