Turning Luseke Grass into sustainable straws

A social enterprise helps farmers grow a native plant for use in utensils

Spotted: Supporting smallholder growers in accessing new markets is a popular means of improving local and regional economies. Part of that support often includes training in regenerative farming techniques to improve farmers’ ability to deal with the changing climate, an area of work that the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) calls an “urgent, and until now poorly explored part of the inclusion agenda.”  

Growing cash crops that are good for the environment is another way of improving the economic security of smallholder farmers while also reducing damage to local ecosystems and boosting soil health. Ugandan social enterprise Ouroots, for instance, works with women farmers to grow and harvest a native grass called Luseke, which is then turned into sustainable straws for use in restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.  

Luseke is a fast-growing sedge grass native to Uganda that, until recently, many growers viewed as a nuisance to eliminate. Ouroots is turning the grass into reusable, compostable, biodegradable straws that are 100 per cent natural. Unlike paper straws that get soggy quickly, Luseke straws work many times, and when they are no longer needed, are easily composted.  

Multiple crops of the grass grow in a single year, making it possible for growers to benefit from more than one harvest. The grass is naturally hollow, making straws an ideal application for the plant. After being handpicked, the grasses are cleaned and disinfected using steam. The straws are then dried in the sun before being packaged for distribution. No chemicals are used in the production of the straws, and they’re both vegan and gluten-free.  

Ouroots continues to develop its product line and expand its distribution network. The company hopes to work with more than 1,000 women farmers as demand rises for plastic-free food, health, and beauty products.  

From turning methane into carbon-negative cutlery to edible seaweed straws, Springwise’s library includes a variety of innovations using natural materials to replace polluting, disposable plastics.

Written By: Keely Khoury