Former President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is banning the use of paper straws in federal agencies, citing their inefficiency and lack of durability. Instead, he has ordered a return to plastic straws through an executive order that reverses previous federal policies promoting paper straws and restricting plastic ones. The order mandates that federal agencies cease purchasing paper straws and ensure they are no longer provided within government buildings.
Trump’s decision directly challenges a policy set by President Joe Biden, which aimed to phase out federal purchases of single-use plastics—including straws—by 2027 for food service operations and by 2035 for all federal operations. Trump had previously criticized paper straws, and his 2019 reelection campaign even sold Trump-branded reusable plastic straws. Over the weekend, he posted on social media, declaring Biden’s plastic reduction policy “DEAD!”
While plastic straws have been widely criticized for contributing to ocean pollution and harming marine life, Trump dismissed these concerns. He suggested that plastic straws would not significantly impact marine animals, such as sharks, while they “munch their way through the ocean.” Despite some U.S. states and cities banning plastic straws and many restaurants moving away from them, single-use plastic waste remains a much larger issue, encompassing plastic bottles, takeout containers, shopping bags, and coffee lids.
Environmental experts warn that vast amounts of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, equivalent to one garbage truck’s worth per minute. Microplastics, which form as these materials degrade, have been found in marine life, birds, and even human blood and tissue. Additionally, plastic production releases significant greenhouse gases and pollutants, as over 90% of plastic products are derived from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas. Many multinational corporations have committed to reducing plastic use, making Trump’s policy reversal an outlier in the business sector.
Environmental advocates criticized Trump’s decision, arguing that single-use plastics are a major environmental threat. Christy Leavitt of Oceana stated that Trump’s move prioritizes messaging over solutions, as most Americans support reducing plastic waste. However, the plastic manufacturing industry welcomed the decision. Matt Seaholm, CEO of the Plastics Industry Association, praised the shift back to plastic, suggesting it should be a broader movement.
