How To Recycle and Dispose of Plastic Straws Safely and Properly

Can you believe that every day over 500 million plastic straws are used and discarded in the United States alone!? That’s enough to fill 125 school buses! And if that doesn’t convince you, know that plastic straws are one of the top 10 items found during beach cleanups.

So is there a solution to this problem? An ideal first step is to avoid using plastic straws altogether. If you really can’t live without them, however, then ensure you recycle or dispose of them properly. Let’s find out how to dispose of plastic straws or recycle them safely. We’ll also give you some tips on how to seamlessly reduce your use of plastic straws.

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20+ Recycled Plastic Straw Ideas: Simple and Easy to Do

Are Plastic Straws Recyclable?

Plastic straws are among the most commonly used single-use items in restaurants, cafes, and bars. But what happens to them once they’re thrown out? Are plastic straws recyclable? The answer is a little more complicated than straightforward.

In short, yes, plastic straws can be recycled – but the process is not always simple. While many recycling centers accept plastic straws due to their small size and lightweight material, some may not involve them as part of their regular curbside recycling program. It’s imperative to check with your local center before throwing out used plastic straws with your other recyclables.

There are different types and varying rules regarding the collection and recycling of plastic straws. With even just a small understanding of local policies, you can confirm whether or not your local recycling center accepts straws- before throwing them out in curbside recycling.

how to dispose of plastic straws are plastic straws recyclable

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How to Recycle Plastic Straws

If you're searching for ways to reduce plastic waste, recycling plastic straws is a great place to start! The good news is that some cities and towns across the United States have programs in place that can guide you to recycle plastic straws responsibly.

Before attempting to recycle your plastic straws, it's important to check with your local municipality or waste management company for specific instructions on how to do so. Different states may have different processes in place; including what kind of materials can be recycled and where they should be taken. Some locations may not accept plastic straws at all, whilst others may require them to be placed into a separate receptacle from other recyclable items.

In Los Angeles, plastic straws can be recycled in blue trash bins. They should be put in a recycled plastic bag before being discarded as the straws are lightweight and can be swiftly blown away by the wind.
In Denver, plastic straws are not recyclable, so you are required to find another way to dispose of them.

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Other Ways to Dispose of Plastic Drinking Straws At Home

Many local recycling centers may not accept plastic straws or have certain conditions in place surrounding how they should be prepared for disposal. So how can we dispose of straws properly in this situation? As luck may have it, there are still other ways for you to dispose of plastic drinking straws at home if your local recycling centers won’t accept them!

Reuse Straws

One possibility is to reuse the straws by washing them thoroughly before then storing them in a dry place before their next use. Some people occasionally elect to upcycle their plastic straws into useful items such as homemade jewelry or decorations! With a perfect blend of motivation and creativity, these simple materials can be turned into something especially unique and long-lasting!

Another alternative is the opportunity to find another organization that will accept plastic straw donations. These organizations will repurpose the material for various purposes; such as creating recycled art pieces that further bring awareness to the global plastics problem.

In case of the aforementioned solutions are inapplicable to you, then you may have to accept the last resort of discarding used straws in the trash. Although this isn't the most environmentally friendly resolution, it's marginally better than leaving used straws lying around or dumping them into nature and facing the risk of polluting the environment. Just ensure your used plastic drinking straws are sorted into separate sealed bags before tossing them in the garbage so they don't end up scattered all over your house or yard.

reuse straws how to dispose of plastic straws

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Switch to Reusable Straws and Compostable Natural Straws

Now that you have stretched your awareness to the limits of these plastic straws, you may understand there are really very limited proper ways to dispose of plastic straws. They require proper usage, however, the best option would be to refrain from using plastic straws at all! We may encounter issues when we then have to wonder how we will next drink our favorite beverages without reliable plastic straws.

Upliftingly, there is in fact another effective way to keep plastic drinking straws out of landfills: that is switching to reusable and compostable straws.

Reusable drinking straws are available and made of durable materials; like stainless steel or glass which are able to be cleaned and reused over again.

For those who object to the hassle of cleaning and reusing their own drinking utensils, there are also plenty of eco-friendly options that offer biodegradable straws made from 100% natural ingredients. With these variations of compostable items, you can reduce your dependence on single-use plastics like plastic straws, which in turn reduces waste.

EQUO is the brand that consistently offers premium quality and natural straws to assist your journey of disposing of your plastic straws at home. EQUO’s eco-friendly collection includes plant-based compostable straws such as sugarcane straws, grass straws, rice straws, coffee straws, and coconut straws. These straws decompose quickly when exposed to nature, making it insurmountably easier to responsibly dispose of your plastic straws at home without harming the environment.

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PIastic straws are an undeniable major environmental hazard, and it is significant we understand how to dispose of plastic straws and recycle them properly. We can be of service to the environment by consciously reducing our reliance on plastic straws and opting for safer alternatives instead.

EQUO’s natural drinking straw collection is a sure-fire option that helps both support sustainable businesses and reduce the amount of plastic waste in our environment. Together, we can make a difference in protecting our planet from further damage due to plastic pollution- for the sake of all life!

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