McDonald’s Paper Straws Aren’t Recyclable, Report Says

Paper straws from McDonald’s U.K. restaurants touted as a “sustainable” alternative to plastic aren’t actually recyclable, the BBC reported.

Last year, McDonald’s said it was rolling out paper straws at all its U.K. and Ireland restaurants, and that tests in the U.S. and other countries would follow later in 2018.

However, customers complained about the paper straws, saying they dissolved before a drink was finished and made milkshakes hard to drink, the BBC reported. In response, the fast food giant thickened and strengthened the paper straws.

The materials are recyclable, but their thickness makes it difficult to process them so for now the company says they should be put into general waste, according to the report.