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Trump Reinstates Plastic Straws, Reversing Biden’s Ban

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reinstating plastic straws, reversing a policy by former President Joe Biden, who had sought to phase them out due to environmental concerns.

 

"We're Going Back to Plastic Straws"

Effective immediately, the order halts government purchases of paper straws and calls for a nationwide strategy to eliminate them entirely.

 

Speaking at the White House, Trump criticized paper straws, saying:

"These things don’t work. They break, they explode. If something’s hot, they don’t last very long—sometimes just seconds. It’s a ridiculous situation."

 

Plastic vs. Paper: A Heated Debate

Biden’s 2024 directive aimed to gradually phase out plastic straws, cutlery, and packaging from federal operations. His administration framed plastic pollution as a global crisis, with efforts to curb single-use plastics by 2027 and eliminate them from all federal operations by 2035.

 

Trump has long opposed paper straws, calling them a "liberal" alternative.

His 2020 campaign sold branded plastic straws, generating nearly $500,000 in sales.

Some US states—including California, Oregon, and New Jersey—have passed plastic straw restrictions, requiring businesses to offer them only upon request.
 

Environmental & Health Concerns

The UN Environment Program estimates that 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced annually, polluting oceans and contributing to microplastic contamination in humans.

However, some studies suggest paper straws contain PFAS ("forever chemicals"), which persist in the environment, contaminate water supplies, and pose potential health risks.

 

Political & Industry Reactions

Trump’s move is expected to spark debate over environmental policies vs. consumer convenience. With the 2024 election approaching, the decision further highlights deep partisan divides on climate and regulation.

 

Will plastic straws make a comeback nationwide, or will states push back? The battle over America’s drinking straws is far from over.