A 2018 study estimated that 500 million straws are used every day in the US alone, equating to 1.6 straws per person a day. That’s 8.3 billion plastic straws in thealmost 250,000 metric tons of plastic in the world’s oceans—a number that’s set to double by 2025. This year the ban on plastic straws has taken affect—or is set to take affect—in the UK, Seattle, multiple cities in California, and at companies like Starbucks and Disney. But as environmental advocates push for reusable alternatives to plastic straws, the fashion industry is working—or better yet cashing in—on the attempt to bring about change as well. Products like hand-blown glass or sterling silver straws that can run up to $200 per straw are now available for purchase.

But is the value the fashion system assigns to statement luxury items actually taking a stand for social responsibility or is there a hidden value behind the cost that is being overlooked?

Today discussing the cost and value in sustainability, fashion and eco-friendly trends is Andy Romjue, President of Hoffmaster Foodservice, which recently acquired Aardvark— the only company in the US who makes paper straws commercially. Also in studio is Aanchal Bakshi and Kerstin Heitzke from NYU’s Costume Studies Program. They curated the exhibit, Gray Area: Authenticity, Value, and Subversion in Fashion.

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