DIY Recycled Hair Accessories Video

Hello lovelies! In a previous post, I uploaded photos that show how to make recycled hair accessories, AKA hair hearts, from used drinking straws. However, some people will have an easier time learning with the video I made, so here it is on TikTok!

Please only work with used drinking straws for this craft project! Don’t buy straws to make these crafts. That would make me sad. Keep reading to find out why.

Are Plastic Straws Recyclable?

Many people wonder, are plastic straws recyclable? Technically, yes… However, many recycling facilities don’t accept them, and even if they are accepted, they tend to be too small and lightweight to be sorted by the machines, which means they end up in landfills.

Recycling is great, but no one ever said it was perfect!

That’s why people say, “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!” and when people say that phrase, they mean it in that order!

How to Reduce Plastic Straw Trash

Reducing the waste of plastic straws can be tricky because straws are everywhere and they’re free, kind of like plastic grocery bags.

However, there are a few ways you can significantly reduce your use of plastic straws.

Change Your Habits

You can reduce the amount of straws in landfills by changing your habits.

If you consume a lot of sodas from gas stations and fast food restaurants, consider drinking less soda or opt for a reusable cup with a reusable straw.

If the gas station or restaurant doesn’t sell reusable cups and straws, you can find them online or at a store like Wal-Mart. There are so many options and you can get a cute cup in your favorite color with cool designs!

Communicate Your Eco-Friendly Intentions

Communicating your eco-friendly intentions can be scary at first because it’s not considered normal human behavior, but honestly, that needs to change! You can be part of that change by politely saying, “I don’t need a straw, thank you.”

I don’t eat fast food anymore, but when I lived in Oregon, I loved to go to Burgerville because they advertised that their food was made with natural ingredients. One of my favorite things about Burgerville was that they let me reuse my plastic cup and straw for chocolate shakes! I’d order by saying, “I want a chocolate shake, but only if you can use the clean cup that I brought with me, please. I want to reuse it.”

Where to Find Used Drinking Straws

When you’ve made efforts to reduce your plastic straw usage, it can be tricky to obtain used ones for crafts.

I acquire used drinking straws when I’m dining out with family. I can’t convince the entire table to stop using straws, (again, it’s not considered normal human behavior to encourage people to waste less, and it’s seen as rude). However, what I can do is collect straws at the end of the meal, wrap them in a napkin, put them in my purse, and clean them when I get home.

OK, I’m a little weird, but maybe I like being weird.

I also find used straws on the ground fairly often. Sometimes they are too damaged to use, but sometimes they are fine. Sometimes they are still in the wrapper! Trash is everywhere. You don’t have to search too hard to find it.