Q: Is straw an agricultural by-product? ¶
A: Yes, and the dry stalks of cereal plants, after the grain and chaff have been removed.
Q: Is straw also used in compostable food packaging such as compostable plates? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Is straw an abundant agricultural waste product? ¶
A: Yes, and requires little energy to bale and transport for construction.
Q: Is straw either used directly in the form of bales? ¶
A: Yes, or densified into pellets which allows for the feedstock to be transported over longer distances.
Q: Is straw used to bind clay and concrete? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Is straw being investigated as a source of fine chemicals including alkaloids? ¶
A: Yes, and flavonoids, lignins, phenols, and steroids.
Q: Is straw resistant to being crushed and therefore makes a good packing material? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Is straw used in cucumber houses and for mushroom growing? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Is straw quite sharp? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Was straw used by thatchers? ¶
A: Yes, and in the packaging industry and even in iron foundries.
Q: Is straw also used to cover the plants during winter to prevent the cold from killing them? ¶
A: Yes.
Q: Is straw obtained from the plant Carludovica palmata? ¶
A: Yes, and is used to make Panama hats.