Trump Orders Return to Plastic Straws in Federal Agencies, Reversing Biden-Era Policy
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday mandating the use of plastic straws in federal agencies, reversing a policy implemented by the Biden administration that aimed to phase out single-use plastics, The Associated Press reports.
Trump cited concerns over the effectiveness and durability of paper straws as the rationale behind the decision.
“It’s a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws,” Trump said during the signing, explaining that the new directive would reverse federal purchasing policies that favored paper straws and restricted plastic ones.
The order specifically instructs federal agencies to discontinue the purchase of paper straws and ensure they are no longer provided within federal buildings.
The Biden administration’s policy, targeted by this executive order, aimed to eliminate federal purchases of single-use plastics, including straws, from food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035. Trump had previously criticized the move and promoted Trump-branded reusable plastic straws during his 2019 reelection campaign.
While plastic straws have been identified as a contributor to ocean pollution, Trump defended their continued use.
“I don’t think that plastic is going to affect the shark very much as they’re eating, as they’re munching their way through the ocean.”
The decision comes amid ongoing debate over the environmental impact of plastics. Several US states and cities have banned plastic straws, and many restaurants have shifted to providing them only upon request. However, plastic straws represent a small fraction of overall plastic waste, with single-use plastic food and beverage containers comprising a significant portion of environmental litter.
Data from the Straws Turtle Island Restoration Network indicates that over 390 million straws are used daily in the United States. These straws, which take hundreds of years to decompose, pose a threat to wildlife as they break down into microplastics. Globally, more than 400 million tons of new plastic are produced annually, with packaging accounting for roughly 40% of this total, according to the United Nations
The decision also comes as nations worldwide are engaged in developing a treaty to address plastic pollution. Discussions among global leaders are ongoing, focusing on limiting plastic production, cleanup efforts, and recycling initiatives. The US, China and Germany are significant players in the global plastics trade, and US manufacturers have requested that Trump focus on redesigning plastic products, and investing in recycling and reuse.
