Recycle Straws 9+ Ways With These Creative Straw Uses

Straws are one of those things people just normally toss in the trash and don’t even think about. But did you know there are lots of ways to recycle straws?

Recycle Straws 9+ Ways With These Creative Straw Uses

I am going to share some ideas with you for ways you can recycle straws. When you learn these 9+ creative straw uses, you will never toss them out again.

One thing to note is that you do need to give the straw a wash and let it dry before using it for any of these ideas.

Pretty easy, simply swish around in hot soapy water, then run hot water over and through it. Then simply place them upright in the utensils part of the dish drainer until they are dry. 

After they are dry, you can toss them into a container or bag until you have enough collected for your project.

If you are looking for ways to cut down, even more, consider using reusable straws. You can get them made of stainless steel, silicone or even glass.

Remove stems from strawberries.

One of the coolest ways to use straws is to use them to remove strawberry stems. Instead of digging into the strawberry to pull the stem, just push a straw through the bottom end and let it come out the top.

It should take the stem right off. This also a great way to enjoy more of the strawberry, as slicing the stem off usually takes some of the fruit with it.

Help children strengthen fine motor skills.

Threading beads is a great way for kids to strengthen fine motor skills. Make your own unbreakable beads when you cut straws into ½ inch segments.

Then, allow children to run string, yarn or pipe cleaners through the segments. This is a fun way for them to make their own bracelets and necklaces.

Keep seedlings standing up straight.

Young seedlings often need a little support. Straws can help them stand up straight without causing any stress to the plant.

Simply poke the straw in the soil next to the seedling, then use some soft yarn or string to tie the plant to the straw. The straw will offer support as the plant grows and can prevent it from toppling over.

Make a bug habitat.

After you have collected a bunch of straws from your take out drinks and such, a great way to reuse them is to make a bug habitat.

This not only is a way to recycle straws, but it also helps give wildlife a home too. Check out how we made our DIY Bug Habitat Made With Upcycled & Reused Items!

Create the perfect dropper.

How many people actually keep eye droppers on hand? When you need to measure out drops, use a straw instead.

You can simply dip the straw about ¼ of an inch into the liquid while keeping your finger over the top of the straw. Remove the straw from the liquid and when you release your finger the liquid will expel.

Hold cotton ball races.

Everyone loves a good Minute to Win It style game! A fun and frugal game for kids to play is cotton ball races.

Give each child a straw and a cotton ball and see who can blow the cotton ball across the finish line first.

This game can be changed up during the year to fit a theme, too. For example, you can push plastic spider rings across the finish line, small plastic eggs, or colorful pom poms. Kids will love playing this game over and over.

Get crafty!

Have you noticed how decorative straws have become? Different prints, patterns, and colors which makes them great for crafting.

You can use colorful straw segments to decorate picture frames or mason jars. You can even cut them into super small segments and use the colorful pieces as table scatter.

You can also use them as a stem in this DIY: K-cup Tissue Paper Flower!

Make your own plant markers.

There is no need to buy plant markers when you can easily make your own. If you enjoy starting seeds indoors, here is a great craft idea for you.

Take a Sharpie marker and write the name of the plant directly on the straw. Then just press the straw into the seedling soil.

Use straws as tally sticks.

Are you trying to drink 8 glasses of water per day? Perhaps you are trying to track the number of hours children are on their devices.

Whatever you may be trying to track, straws can help. Get two jars and place a handful of straws in one jar.

As you drink a glass of water or enjoy an hour of device time (or whatever the task is you are tracking) move a straw to the empty jar.

As you add straws to the empty jar you can visually keep track, using the straws as markers. This is a great way to develop some healthy habits in both children and adults.

Do you have any favorite straw uses? We would love to hear how you recycle straws!