Top 10 Ways to Reuse Straws
Plastic is wreaking havoc in our oceans. In the US alone, we use over 500 million straws per day. And, nearly 100 trillion pounds of plastic straws enter our oceans every year. So, instead of throwing those straws into the trash where they make their way into our oceans killing marine life, here are the top 10 ways to reuse straws!
#1 Turn them Into Necklaces
Plastic straws are great for helping little ones with their fine motor skills. Cut the straws into smaller pieces or leave them big. Get out some string and turn those used straws into something beautiful to wear. Your kids will love making them, and you will feel good knowing you are helping the environment.
#2 Use Them as Hair Curlers
Instead of buying expensive curling accessories, reuse your straws to make those beautiful beach waves. Simply grab a section of hair and wrap it around a straw. Secure each piece with a bobby pin.
#3 Use them to Pit Cherries
Who has time to cut a cherry apart and pit them?! Definitely not me. Instead, use a plastic straw to pit your cherries. This is an easy way to do it, and it helps you to protect the environment by reusing straws.
#6 Make an Old Frame Decorative
Use straws to make old frames more decorative and 3-D looking. Cut them out, paint them, and then use a hot glue gun to glue them around the edge of your frame. Nobody will know how you got such a cool looking frame!
#7 Use them for Spices
Straws are a great way to bring spices with you when you go camping. Instead of bringing whole bottles to season your food, simply reuse straws to help you carry it. Melt the bottom of the straw with a lighter. Then, poor in your seasoning and melt the other end. To mark your seasoning straws, use colored tape or write on them with a marker.
#8 Make a Pen/Pencil Holder
Did you know straws are the perfect size for you to put a pen or a pencil in? Use a hot glue gun or some decorative tape to put your old straws on the side of a book or notebook. This will give you a place to put your pen or pencil when using that notebook.
#9 Seal Your Food
If you are like me, you like to buy in bulk. When you buy in bulk, you have to find a way to store your food so that it doesn’t go bad before you use it. Place your food in a Ziploc bag and seal it around your straw. Then, suck the rest of the air out of the bag with the straw. Remove the straw and seal the bag. This helps prevent spoiling and freezer burn.
#10 Turn them Into Works of Art
Plastic straws can easily be painted, cut and turned into just about anything you can think of. So, save old plastic straws to use in impromptu artwork. You never know where a straw may come in handy.