How to Start Your Own Plastic Straw Making Business?
The demand for plastic straws has skyrocketed in the last few years, but with all the negative press surrounding them (they don’t break down as quickly as we might want and often end up polluting our oceans), there are more and more people who want to make their own reusable ones.
If you are one of those people, then you may be wondering how to start your own plastic straw making business so you can keep yourself stocked in these eco-friendly versions of the disposable kind.
Also Read: How to Start a wine Business | How to start a Wine brand
What kind of Plastic are Straws made from?
Most plastic drinking straws are made from HDPE, which stands for high-density polyethylene. It is considered a type of plastic that is safe to use with food and drink.
Other plastics that can be used include PP (polypropylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). LDPE and HDPE are the most common types of plastics used in drinking straw production.
Also Read: How to Start a Profitable Paper Bag Business in 6 Steps
History of Drinking Straws
Straws have been around since the 19th century. They were made of paper, bamboo, or metal and would be used in drinks like soda, milkshakes, and iced tea. In the 1950s plastic straws were introduced and quickly replaced all other types of straws due to their durability and weight.
Most cities banned plastic straws because they are difficult to recycle and usually end up in landfills or rivers, oceans, or other bodies of water where animals can mistake them for food.
You can start your own business by recycling these plastic straws from landfill into new ones that will not harm the environment or wildlife.
How are straws made?
Straws are made by creating a mold that creates the desired shape. A liquid plastic is then injected into the mold and is allowed to cool, typically at room temperature.
It can take anywhere from five minutes to an hour for the straws to cool before they are removed from the molds.
The straws are then cut in two halves, trimmed out of any excess plastic, and cleaned with a brush before being packaged and shipped out. We will discuss the full process of straw making later in the article.
Also Read: How to Start a Vehicle Wrapping Business
How to Start Plastic Straw-Making Business
You might be wondering how to start your own plastic straw making business. There are several different ways that you can create your own straw making company.
1. Do your research
The best way to start your own plastic straw making business is by researching the market and potential costs.
A quick internet search will provide you with a list of potential suppliers and will give you an idea of what the cost per straw might be. This information can then be used to calculate how many straws you would need for your first order.
For example, if you find that a pack of 500 straws costs $3, then this would mean that they would cost $0.06 each when bought in bulk (500 x $0.06). If you wanted to sell these at retail prices ($0.30), you would have to buy at least 2000 for your first order (2000 x $0.30 =6000).
2. Create a business plan
Starting a business can be a daunting task. It is hard enough to come up with an idea, but then there’s marketing, production, and everything in between.
The good news is that you can start small and slowly work your way up. For example, one popular business many people have started is making plastic straws. If you are thinking about starting this type of business, consider the following:
What materials will I need?
What are my marketing strategies?
What steps should I take in order to produce my product?
Who will help me produce my product?
How much do I want to charge for my product?
Once you have these questions answered and feel confident enough in your plan of action, it’s time to get started.
3. Find a location
Finding the location for your business can be the hardest part of starting a business. Where you choose will depend on a number of factors including demographics, foot traffic, and local laws.
Locations near public transportation can be good because they will help with customer accessibility and convenience.
In addition, some cities have zoning rules that prohibit having certain types of businesses in residential areas or require special permits or licenses.
4. Get the proper equipment
The first thing you need is a machine. The most common type of machine used in the manufacturing of plastic straws is called an extrusion molding machine.
If you don’t have this, you can still make plastic straws by hand, but it will take you more time and effort. You will also need a way to blow into that mold, usually by using your mouth or a blowtorch. Other equipment you will need includes:
Plastic beads/ Paper Roll
Cutting Machine
Colorants
Packing Machine
One last piece of equipment you will need is a table with some kind of protective barrier on top.
Some people recommend starting with two different types of plastic material: one for regular use, and another for more heavy-duty use.
Keep in mind that because these are small products there is not much profit margin so keeping production costs down helps maximize profit.
5. Plastic Straw making Process
To start a plastic straw making business, you must know the process. Here is how you can manufacture plastic straws:
The first step is gathering your supplies. You will need plastic pellets, a heat gun, and a mold of some kind. Purchase enough of the pellets to produce a large number of straws.
Keep in mind that you can always melt more if you want to make more, but it is difficult to re-melt the same batch after it has been cooled and hardened.
The second step is heating up the pellets in the stove or microwave oven until they are melted into a liquid form. A heat gun can also be used to help speed up this process.
Once the pellets have turned into a clear liquid, pour them into your chosen mold(s).
Allow the straws to cool for about 20 minutes before taking them out from the molds and then continue cooling for about 30 minutes on their own.
Once cool, collect them all together for packaging.
Also Read: 7 Most Profitable Leather Business Ideas
Conclusion on Straw Making Business
If you are looking for a new business venture and find yourself asking, What should I do with all these plastic straws? consider starting your own plastic straw making business.
You can turn this waste product into a valuable resource by reselling it at a lower price. The best part of your new business is that you will be able to choose the price point of the straws.
FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to start a plastic straw making business?
A: $1,500.00 will cover the initial expenses such as buying machinery and supplies.
Q: What is the average annual salary for a straw maker?
A: The average annual salary for a straw maker is $30,000.00 per year.
Q: What are the benefits of starting your own Plastic Straw Making business?
A: Benefits of owning your own business include flexible hours, being in control of your work schedule, and the chance to make more money than you would at any other job.
