Staramaki wheat-based straws
Kilkis
Staramaki is a social cooperative based in Kilkis, a rural region of Greece, that uses the most widely produced local product, wheat, to create a viable eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic straws. As well as supporting the local economy by creating an alternative market avenue for the region’s agricultural output and creating employment opportunities, the project also promotes social cohesion.
In addition, its circular economy business model goes one step further: the straws are not only sold, but also traded for coffee residue, which is then mixed with the remaining wheat, in collaboration with FoodTreasure, to produce bio pellets and briquettes for heating. The aim of this exchange is to engage the local society in waste reduction, and to change people’s mindsets about what actually constitutes waste.
