Colorful, disposable plastic drinking straws. The packaging indicates the straws are 260mm in length and 10mm in diameter. These straws are made of polypropylene, a common type of plastic used for straws. While convenient and affordable, plastic straws contribute to plastic waste, which is harmful to the environment and can persist for hundreds of years. They are also difficult to recycle. Some studies suggest chemicals from the plastic could leach into liquids.