In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that reinstates the use of plastic straws within the U.S. government, effectively reversing an initiative spearheaded by former President Joe Biden to phase out plastic straws in favor of more environmentally friendly paper options. The new order takes immediate effect and signals a shift towards Trump’s view that paper straws are ineffective and unsatisfactory for consumers.
During a briefing at the White House, Trump articulated his disdain for paper straws, noting, “They don’t work. They break, they explode. If something's hot, they don’t last very long, sometimes a matter of seconds.” This rhetoric aligns with Trump’s previous commercial ventures, as he sold branded plastic straws during his 2020 presidential campaign, generating significant revenue.
Biden's administration had committed to minimizing plastic usage through a comprehensive strategy that included a gradual phase-out of single-use plastics by 2027, including cutlery and packaging. Trump's recent order also directs government agencies to stop procuring paper straws and looks to eliminate their usage nationwide.
While Trump’s position resonates with his supporters and serves to brand plastic straws as a conservative choice against what he termed "liberal" straws, his order comes amidst ongoing discussions about plastic pollution. Reports estimate the U.S. uses around 500 million drinking straws each year, although this figure is debated among experts.
Several states and cities across the U.S., like Washington and California, have already enacted legislation limiting the use of plastic straws. Moreover, studies indicate that paper straws sometimes include harmful "forever chemicals" such as PFAS, raising concerns about environmental and health implications.
As Trump reignites the debate over straw use, the environmental community continues to grapple with the challenges of plastic waste and its impact on ecosystems.
