Once found mostly in soda fountains of the 1930s, straws have become one of the most ubiquitous unnecessary products on the planet. Americans use 175 million straws daily, almost enough to circle the globe. Compounding the problem, plastic straws are small, thin and bend easily, so they fall into the cracks and crevices of recycling machinery. Therefore, most recyclers do not accept plastic straws, and most straws that do make it to a recycling facility do not get recycled.

Our national network is working on introducing and passing bills that would help move our country beyond single-use plastics. In 13 states we have introduced legislation that would ban single-use polystyrene take out containers. In seven states, we are working on policies that would make straws available by request only, and in 10 states we have efforts underway to pass statewide bans on single-use plastics bags.

We’re partnering with Environment America. Over the years we’ve worked together to win similar efforts to reduce waste and plastic pollution. From our work on state bottle bills in Massachusetts and across the country, to pro-recycling laws and the first statewide plastic bag ban in California. We know how to combine professional research and advocacy with citizen support, to win real results.

Of course, there are plastics companies that don’t like this idea. In 2018, corporate opposition helped block a bill banning plastic foam containers in California. But across the country, polystyrene foam bans have passed in more than 200 cities and counties, and even some corporations like Dunkin’ and McDonald’s have indicated a willingness to phase out polystyrene, and hand out straws only upon request.