Plastic is, well, everywhere. For something that has only been used in mainstream manufacturing for the past 60 to 70 years, plastic has made its mark on the world. From bags, bottles, and lids to containers, you’ve definitely touched something in plastic packaging today.

Glue: you can’t live without, and most hardly ever think about it. In fact, people only really seem to think about glue when it comes to manufacturing, and often it pertains to one of these two questions: ‘Why isn’t this glue working?’ and ‘How can I improve this process?’

The Straw Free Campaign is continuing to impact how customers and manufacturers think about one-use plastics. Major restaurant chains and hospitality providers like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Hyatt have pledged to stop using plastic straws and find an alternative. From uncooked noodles to bamboo, people have come up with some pretty creative ways to slurp up drinks, but the most popular option by far is the paper straw.

Manufacturers are constantly trying to find eco-friendly, cost-effective innovations for their packaging, paper products, and production needs. Depending on your specific needs, starch, dextrin, or gelatin-based glues may be the answer for businesses in search of a more natural adhesive alternative.