Q&A for How to Dispose of Plastic Straws

No, that makes a whole lot more plastic pieces to float around the environment. Instead, it is better to avoid using straws. If you cut straws into smaller pieces, they will be more harmful to creatures and the ecosystem. It also won't cause them to degrade faster, because size doesn't affect rate of degradation.

The best thing you can do with your old plastic straws so they don't negatively impact the environment is to properly recycle them. Collect all of your straws into a recyclable container such as a food container or a plastic bag. Seal the container tightly so none of the straws can fall out as they're being transported to a recycling plant. Place the sealed container into your recycling bin.

While it may seem like a good idea to burn your plastic straws to get rid of them, the pollutants that are produced are harmful for the environment and could potentially be dangerous for you if you breathe in too much of it. The best thing you can do with your plastic straws is recycle them to keep them out of the environment. If you don't have a recycling bin at your home, look online for a recycling location you can bring your straws.

If your city accepts #5 plastics, then you can actually recycle most straws, which are made of #5 plastic. Contact your local recycling center to see if they do accept #5 plastic. To make it easier for them to recycle your straws, keep them collected in a recyclable plastic container and seal the container whenever you place it in your recycling bin.

Donate to a senior center for crafts, they can make pretty flowers from them. Or, donate them to a charity store.

Search the internet under "plastic straw art" to find ways to repurpose plastic straws into decorative and/or useful items. Examples include creating wreaths, coasters, and jewelry.