US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that reverses a significant policy from his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, aimed at phasing out plastic straws in favor of more environmentally friendly options. The new directive came into effect immediately, signaling a shift back towards the use of plastic straws.
During a recent press conference, Trump criticized paper straws as impractical, claiming that they dissolve too quickly and fail to perform under various conditions. "They're ridiculous... if something's hot, they don't last very long," Trump stated. This alignment with the plastic straw market is not new to Trump; during his 2020 campaign, he marketed his own branded plastic straws, which reportedly netted nearly $500,000 in early sales.
Biden’s administration had been tackling the environmental crisis of plastic pollution, with a gradual phase-out of single-use plastics scheduled for completion by 2027. This included not only straws but also plastic cutlery and food packaging. The former president noted that many US cities have already begun to limit plastic straw usage as part of their environmental strategies.
While Trump's decision could have ramifications for ongoing efforts to mitigate plastic waste, it also raises concerns about alternatives like paper straws that may introduce their own environmental hazards, such as "forever chemicals" known as PFAS.
As this debate unfolds, the issue of plastic straws continues to emerge as a cultural flashpoint in America, reflecting broader conflicts over environmental policy.
