United States: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order instantly reversing a policy aimed at phasing out plastic straws in federal operations. The measure, initially introduced by former President Joe Biden, was part of a wider effort to curb plastic pollution.
Trump told reporters at the White House, stating that, “We’re going back to plastic straws,” criticising paper alternatives as inefficient. Trump added that, “These things don’t work. They break, they explode, and they dissolve in your mouth. It’s a nonsensical situation.”
The Biden administration’s policy, signed in 2024, aimed to gradually eliminate government purchases of plastic straws, cutlery, and packaging. The initiative was part of a wider plan to phase out single-use plastics from federal operations by 2035.
“We’re going back to plastic straws.” –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/GONNjP6UNn
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) February 10, 2025
Trump has long resisted restrictions on plastic straws. During his 2020 campaign, he sold “Trump” branded plastic straws for $15 per pack, reportedly generating about $500,000 in sales within weeks.
The US consumes an estimated 500 million disposable straws daily, though some experts argue that figure. Several states, including California, Oregon, and New Jersey, have executed rules limiting plastic straw usage or requiring businesses to deliver them only upon request.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that 460 million metric tonnes of plastic are assembled globally each year, contributing to ocean pollution and microplastic contamination. However, studies suggest that paper straws may also pose environmental concerns, as they contain polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” which can survive in the environment and affect human health.
Trump’s decision signals a modification in federal policy, reigniting debate over environmental regulations and consumer preferences.
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