One of the accessories in our Shrub Club Box is natural drinking straws from the team at HAY! Straws, a great addition alongside the zero-proof discoveries we share month after month. We’re always looking to include not just drinks, but thoughtful extras that help round out your home bar and make the experience feel more complete. These straws are one of those easy additions we can fully get behind and were excited to share with you.

We spoke with Emma Grose, co-founder and CEO of HAY! Straws, to learn more about how it all came together, the story behind the brand, their approach to reducing plastic waste, and what goes into creating a more sustainable alternative. She also shares a few practical tips!

Let's jump in. 

Emma, we are so excited to feature HAY! Straws in our Shrub Club box. Did you ever imagine your straws being part of a zero-proof cocktail discovery box?

Maybe not imagined, but definitely hoped for it. Over the last few years we’ve seen a real rise in non-alcoholic mixology, and we’re completely here for it.

What inspired you to create HAY! Straws? Was there a moment when you thought, we need to make this happen?

Our biggest inspiration was reducing single-use plastic waste, especially the straws we kept seeing washed up on beaches. When friends in the hospitality industry told us customers were asking for something better than plastic or paper straws, we knew it was time to make it happen.

Was sustainability always something that shaped the way you think about products and materials, or did something specific spark your curiosity early on?

Yes, I’ve always cared about protecting the environment. My father was a park ranger, and growing up we composted, did beach cleanups, and even nursed native birds back to health. That connection to nature was always there.

What is something you have learned since launching HAY! Straws that surprised you?

How many ups and downs there are when running a business. Sometimes you just get thrown a curveball and have to figure it out as you go.

We have tried so many straws that get soggy or fall apart, and we absolutely loved that this was not the case with HAY! Straws. Can you share the secret behind why they hold up so beautifully?

Our straws are made from real plant stems—either wheat or reed—which are naturally water- and heat-resistant. That means they don’t melt or go soggy in drinks. We simply harnessed what nature already perfected.

Once we finish our drink, what is the best way to dispose of HAY! Straws?

Compost your straw—either in your backyard compost or your city’s commercial compost system. Our Original wheat stem straws break down in about 42 days in a commercial compost facility.

What has been your own path into the zero-proof world, and what about it resonates with you?

I think most people would agree—hangovers get worse with age and sleep gets more precious. Zero-proof options mean you can still enjoy a night out without paying for it the next day.

If you were mixing up one zero-proof drink that is perfect with a HAY! Straw, what would you make?

A zero-proof Moscow Mule. I love that a Mule has a nod to horses—and horses love hay—so the pairing just feels aesthetically perfect.

If friends were coming over tonight, what would be your signature drink to serve them?

Probably a classic gin and tonic, garnished with fresh herbs, lemon, and of course a HAY! Straw.

Do you have any simple tips for hosting more sustainably?

Use reusable plates and cups whenever you can. If disposables are necessary, use up what you already have first and then switch to compostable options like bamboo pulp plates or bamboo cutlery. Change starts with small choices.

Looking at the beverage and hospitality world more broadly, what changes would you love to see when it comes to sustainability?

Globally, plastic and styrofoam takeaway items are still a huge issue—cups, containers, straws, cutlery. I’d love to see more developing countries transition to compostable alternatives. Long term, the most sustainable system is reuse and closed-loop packaging for cafés and restaurants. It’s still logistically challenging, but I believe it will become much more common in the coming decades.

What is next for HAY! Straws? Are there any ideas, collaborations, or new directions you are excited about?

Our mission is still replacing single-use plastics. Last year we launched plastic-free coffee cup lids and bamboo pizza savers, and we’re continuing to add complementary products alongside our straws to deepen our impact. We’re always open to collaborating with like-minded brands tackling plastic pollution, and we’re excited to see more innovation in the event space—especially things like coffee parties and new alternatives to traditional party culture.

Between thoughtful materials and practical tips, HAY! Straws fits naturally into a more considered way of hosting and drinking. We’re really happy to be sharing them with you in our March box.