Forming an Opportunity Belief

Straws in Gainesville City Limits

I believe that there is an unmet need in the way of an alternative to using paper straws. I think that while it is a great idea to cut back on the amount of plastic we use in the city limits, I do not think that paper straws are the best option. It seems to me that when I talk to other people about this I get the same reaction, that they like the idea of getting rid of the plastic straws, but that they are unsatisfied with the length of use and lifespan of the paper straws. I belief that there should be an alternative to paper straws in restaurants. Since the recent implementation of paper straws and the forced removal of plastic straws. It seems to me that the "customers" in this situation are most people who eat out in Gainesville. I'm about 85 percent that this opportunity exists but I am unsure of how to meet the need as of now. 

Interview 1: Adult woman (early 40s)

• How often do you get a drink with a straw?
• At least 4 times a week.
• How long have you been aware of paper straws being used instead of plastic straws?
• For quite a few years now, the only place I knew that used them until probably last year was Animal Kingdom in Disney. 
• Do you prefer paper straws to not using a straw at all?
• I would rather not use a straw because the paper straws really only last five to ten minutes. 
• Do you own a reusable straw? If so, do you bring it with you out of the house?
• Yes, not as much as I would like to, I tend to forget.
• Would you be happy with a different type of straw alternative or lids that are easier to drink from?
• I would welcome an alternative, I think that getting rid of plastic straws is a great concept but I think there really needs to be something to use other than paper straws. I don't think its too much to ask for my straw to not disintegrate in my drink after only a few minutes. 

Interview 2: Adult male college student (early 20s)

• How often do you get a drink with a straw?
• I don't get a straw unless my drink comes with a lid. 
• How long have you been aware of paper straws being used instead of plastic straws?
• For a few months, because Starbucks started using them and I noticed other restaurants and fast food places stared to use them more too.
• Do you prefer paper straws to not using a straw at all?
• Depends on the drink because if its a milkshake or something like that then I prefer no straw because I don't like how the paper straw gets ruined over time.
• Do you own a reusable straw? If so, do you bring it with you out of the house?
• No, I do not own a reusable straw.
• Would you be happy with a different type of straw alternative or lids that are easier to drink from?
• Yes, some Starbucks locations have started using a plant based straw that is similar to plastic straws but better for the environment, and they don't get ruined over time like the paper straws. As for kids, lids that let you drink from them without a straw are nice. 

Interview 3: Adult male college student (early 20s)

• How often do you get a drink with a straw?
• Pretty often, probably more than three times a week. 
• How long have you been aware of paper straws being used instead of plastic straws?
• I think the first time I saw a straw that wasn't plastic was a few years ago. 
• Do you prefer paper straws to not using a straw at all?
• I would prefer to have no straw at all rather than use a paper straw. 
• Do you own a reusable straw? If so, do you bring it with you out of the house?
• I do own one but I mostly use it at home.
• Would you be happy with a different type of straw alternative or lids that are easier to drink from?
• I would be happy with a straw that is like wax covered or something or the lids like they have at Starbucks where you don't need a straw. 

I learned that most other people that I talk to about paper straws share the same opinion as me, that the straws are not pleasant. I was most surprised that people would rather use no straw at all rather than deal with using a paper straw.

I do not think that my belief changed through this process, I believed that we need an alternative to paper straws and so have the people that I have talked to about this. The entire original opportunity is still there due to the fact that there has not been something used to replace paper straws yet. I think that from when I started I have learned that people want either a lid alternative that does not require a straw or an alternative to paper straws that is able to last longer in a drink. I think that in this situation it is not only up to the entrepreneurs since it was a citywide decision to do away with plastic straws, however, I belief that the entrepreneurs would adapt if there was a better option available.