In a move sparking fierce debate, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday forcing federal agencies to abandon paper straws and return to plastic—a sharp reversal of Biden-era environmental policies aimed at curbing pollution.
“We’re going back to plastic straws. Paper ones don’t work,” Trump declared at the White House, dismissing concerns about plastic harming oceans. “I don’t think plastic is going to affect a shark very much as they’re munching their way through the water.”
The order demands all federal buildings stop buying paper straws immediately and draft a plan within 45 days to phase them out nationwide. It also scraps a Biden policy that would have banned single-use plastics—like cups, bags, and utensils—on federal lands by 2032.
Biden vs. Trump: A Clash Over Plastics
The decision marks Trump’s latest strike against environmental protections. Earlier in his term, he withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement—a global pact to fight climate change—for the second time. Now, he’s taking aim at plastics, which scientists blame for choking oceans, harming wildlife, and contaminating food supplies.
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. had supported global efforts to limit plastic production, backing a treaty to cap output. But Trump’s order signals a shift toward favoring industries like oil and gas, which produce plastics. Experts warn this could align the U.S. with nations like Russia and Saudi Arabia, which oppose strict pollution controls.
“With Trump’s pro-oil stance, the U.S. may now block global deals to cut plastic production,” said Aleksandar Rankovic, an environmental policy expert.
Plastic Waste Crisis Deepens
The world is drowning in plastic. A 2023 report found that without action, plastic waste could surge by 47% by 2040—from 81 million tons to 119 million tons yearly. Much of this ends up in oceans, where it breaks into toxic microplastics swallowed by marine life.
Countries like Canada have tried banning single-use plastics, but faced pushback. In 2023, a court ruled Canada’s ban on plastic bags and straws “unconstitutional,” though the government is appealing. Meanwhile, global treaty talks collapsed last year after major plastic-producing countries refused to limit output.
Who Wins with Plastic Straws?
Trump’s order is a win for the plastics industry, which relies on fossil fuels. Companies making straws, bags, and bottles have long fought regulations, arguing bans hurt jobs. But environmentalists call the move short-sighted.
“This isn’t about straws—it’s about whether we prioritize corporate profits over our planet,” said Claire Rowe, an ocean advocate.
With Trump in office, the U.S. could stall global plastic treaty talks set to resume this year. Critics fear weaker rules will accelerate pollution, while supporters praise Trump for rejecting what they call “radical green policies.”
As the debate rages, one thing is clear: The fight over plastic straws has become a symbol of a much larger battle—between industry and the environment, and between two visions for America’s future.
