Why can’t plastic straws go in my recycling bin?

Unlike a lot of hard plastics which can go into your recycling bin at home, plastic straws cannot be recycled. Yes, straws are a hard plastic even though they can bend.

As they travel down the conveyor belt at a recycling facility, small items like straws fall through the cracks of the machinery. They end up either in landfill for years or pollute our oceans and waterways, harming marine life.

What can I use instead of a plastic straw?

There are also many alternatives to using a plastic straw such as metal, bamboo and glass straws.

For some people, straws are a necessity. But if you don't need one, simply say "no straw, please" when you order a drink.

Want to recycle something else?

Search for another item to find out if it can go in your home recycling bin or if it needs to be dropped off somewhere else.