Apparatus and methods for manufacturing biodegradable, compostable, drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate material

An apparatus for manufacturing a drink straw, the drink straw having an outer diameter and a wall thickness, the apparatus comprising:

• an extruder die that is configured to receive molten polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material from an extruder and to produce a stream of extruded PHA material that has a tubular shape;
• and
• a pre-sizing water bath that is configured to receive the stream of extruded PHA material directly from the extruder die, and to provide the stream of extruded PHA material via a sizing tube to a second water bath,
• wherein the sizing tube extends a distance into the second water bath and is configured to control the outer diameter and wall thickness of the drink straw, and
• wherein the pre-sizing water bath is a non-vacuum container having an open top.