Plastic Straws: How Much Do They Pollute Our Oceans?

Plastic straws are among the top 10 contributors to plastic marine debris globally. In the US, it is estimated that between 175 million and 500 million plastic straws are used every day, with most of these ending up in the ocean. While plastic straws only account for 0.2% of the yearly plastic waste in the US by weight, they are still a significant contributor to marine pollution.

Plastic straws are among the top 10 contributors to plastic marine debris across the globe

Plastic straws are manufactured from polypropylene or polystyrene. They are not biodegradable, which means they do not break down into compounds like carbon dioxide or water that can be easily reused. Over time, large plastics will degrade into small particles known as microplastics, which are potentially carcinogenic and attract harmful pollutants.

Plastic straws are too lightweight to be recycled

Plastic straws are among the top 10 contributors to plastic marine debris across the globe. It is estimated that 500 million plastic straws are used daily in the US, and most of these end up in the ocean, polluting the water and killing marine life.

Although the plastic straws are made from is technically recyclable, they are not accepted in curbside recycling programs. Plastic straws are too lightweight to make it through the mechanical recycling sorter. They drop through sorting screens and mix with other materials, contaminating recycling loads or getting disposed of as garbage.

Because straws are non-recyclable, they end up in landfills. Internationally, they frequently end up in rivers and oceans. Straws are one of the most common types of plastic litter found in waterways and oceans, and they are usually made from petroleum products. They are also one of the most common items found during beach cleanups and pose a major threat to seabirds, turtles, and other marine creatures.

Plastic straws are so small and lightweight that they are prone to flying away and becoming litter while the municipal truck is picking up your bin, at another point of processing, or straight up getting sorted out as miscellaneous debris.

A single straw weighs about 0.42 grams or one-sixth of an ounce. In total, that adds up to 73,000 metric tons per year, which is about the weight of 540 Boeing 777s.

Plastic straws are not biodegradable

Plastic straws are among the top 10 contributors to plastic marine debris across the globe. In the US, it is estimated that 500 million plastic straws are used daily, with 7.5 million plastic straws found on US shorelines during a five-year cleanup research project. This amounts to 73,000 metric tons per year, or about the weight of 540 Boeing 777s.

The environmental impact of plastic straws is significant. Most plastic straws are too lightweight to make it through the mechanical recycling sorter and end up contaminating recycling loads or getting disposed of as garbage. By 2050, it is projected that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight.

Biodegradable alternatives to plastic straws include products made from organic materials such as straw, pasta, bamboo, or paper. These alternatives are the future, as they are more sustainable and safe for the planet.

Plastic straws are manufactured from polypropylene or polystyrene

Plastic straws are among the top 10 contributors to plastic marine debris across the globe. It is estimated that 500 million plastic straws are used daily in the US, with 7.5 million found on US shorelines during a five-year cleanup research project.

Plastic straws are manufactured from polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer recognised for its sturdiness and resistance to chemicals. It is selected for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to heat, which allows it to withstand the temperatures of hot beverages without melting. Polypropylene is also favoured for its low value and simplicity of producing.

To manufacture plastic straws, polypropylene is mixed with colourants and other chemical ingredients in a machine that looks like a big heated meat grinder. The mixture is melted into beads, which are later shaped into small strands. The strands are then turned into pellets, which are melted again and pushed into a long tube shape. The tube is then cooled down and cut into straw length before being packaged and shipped.

Some plastic straws are also manufactured from polystyrene, a likely human carcinogen that has been linked to headaches, fatigue, and other health problems. Polystyrene is used to generate inflexible and colourful straws. However, its usage has declined due to environmental issues and policies targeting single-use plastics.

Plastic straws are found anywhere food is served

Plastic straws are particularly harmful to the ocean because they are too lightweight to make it through the mechanical recycling sorter. They drop through sorting screens and mix with other materials, contaminating recycling loads or getting disposed of as garbage. As a result, most plastic straws end up in our oceans, polluting the water and killing marine life.

While plastic straws only account for 0.2% of the yearly plastic waste in the US by weight, they still add up to 73,000 metric tons per year, which is about the weight of 540 Boeing 777s. If we don’t act now, by 2050 plastic will outweigh fish in the ocean.

Frequently asked questions