Trash ban inspires UK firm to make paper straws

A British packaging company is opening a factory in the United Kingdom where it will use machinery from China to make paper drinking straws.

The company said it will supply the McDonald's fast food chain and other companies in Britain that want to ditch plastic straws because of environmental concerns.

Demand for paper straws and other alternatives to plastic has soared in the UK since China banned imports of plastic waste, and due to rising public awareness of plastic pollution in the oceans.