Trump Reinstates Plastic Straws, Reversing Biden’s Environmental Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that reverses a previous measure set by former President Joe Biden, ceasing the federal government’s efforts to transition from plastic to paper straws. The order, effective immediately, reflects Trump’s consistent opposition to paper alternatives, which he described as ineffective during a press conference on Monday.

At the White House, Trump stated, “We’re going back to plastic straws. These things don’t work, I’ve had them many times, and on occasion, they break, they explode. If something’s hot, they don’t last very long—like a matter of minutes, sometimes a matter of seconds. It’s a ridiculous situation.”

In 2024, Biden had ordered a gradual end to the use of plastic straws, cutlery, and packaging in federal settings, citing plastic pollution concerns. An initiative through the Environmental Protection Agency aimed to eliminate single-use plastics from federal operations by 2035. However, Trump’s latest directive halts this approach, calling for the immediate cessation of paper straw purchases by government agencies.

The former president has a history of selling Trump-branded plastic straws during his 2020 campaign, emphasizing them as a conservative alternative to what he termed “liberal” paper straws. This campaign reportedly generated nearly $500,000 within weeks of launching.

Statistics suggest that the United States uses approximately 500 million plastic straws daily, a figure considered contested, with some estimates suggesting the actual number could be significantly lower. Various cities and states, including Seattle and California, have enacted measures to limit plastic straw usage, which often requires businesses to provide them only upon request.

Critics of plastic straw production point to the environmental impact of plastic waste, with the United Nations Environment Program reporting that 460 million metric tonnes of plastic are produced annually. This pollution significantly contributes to marine waste and microplastics, which have been linked to health issues in humans.

While paper straws have emerged as a popular alternative, some studies indicate they contain “forever chemicals” such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can persist in the environment and potentially harm human health. Trump’s administration argues that focusing on plastic straws overlooks innovation in environmental efficiency.

Environmental advocates have responded to Trump’s executive order with concern, emphasizing the detrimental effects plastics have on marine ecosystems. The World Wildlife Fund estimates that millions of marine animals die each year due to plastic pollution, either by ingestion or entanglement.

As Trump reaffirms his commitment to plastic straws, the future of environmental policy remains a hot topic in American politics. His stance is positioned against a backdrop of growing national discussions about pollution and sustainability, creating a complex dynamic as the nation approaches the next electoral cycle.