The issue with plastic straws

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Australians use about 10 million straws every day. That’s about 3.5 billion every year.

There has been strong action on plastic straws across the country. As of mid‑2025, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory have legally banned single‑use plastic straws.

Only Tasmania and the Northern Territory have not yet enforced such bans, though both have proposed future plans, with the NT strategy aiming for 2025 implementation.

An audit conducted by the Boomerang Alliance has shown that if a café only provides straws on request, straw-use can plummet by about 80%.

You can create change in your community by saying no to single-use straws or replacing them with a sustainable alternative.

“It’s just one straw”

said 3.5 billion people
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THE PROBLEM

Despite straws being predominantly plastic, most recycling facilities do not accept them. Due to their size, they just fall off the conveyor belts and onto the recycling plant floors, where they are sent to landfill.

Many cafes now stock so-called ‘eco straws’. Although these are often advertised as being biodegradable, they are not. The ACCC recently determined that oxo-degradable straws did not meet biodegradable or compostable standards.

They are oxo-degradable like some plastic bags and will not fully decompose. They are more of a threat to wildlife than standard plastic and need to be avoided.

Clean Up Australia recognises that some people with a disability need straws, and we support straws being available for them.

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What can you do?

Say no to single-use straws

When ordering a drink, specifically ask for no straw. Too often cafes and pubs give straws away automatically, whether you want one or not.

Go reusable

Some people genuinely need a straw or really prefer to use one. You can buy a reusable straw and take it with you when out and about.

Retailer action

Suggest to your local cafe, pub or juice bar that they remove straws from the counter and only provide them on request – and then ideally only paper straws.

If you see venues providing “eco or biodegradable” plastic straws, let them know these are even worse for the environment than regular straws as they do not biodegrade.