Trump Revives Plastic Straws, Reversing Biden Policy
President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order revoking his predecessor’s policy encouraging the use of more environmentally pleasant straws, opting to return to plastic straws.
“I will sign the executive command next week, ending the silly encouragement of Biden to use a paper straw that is of no use. Returning to plastic,” Trump tweeted on his X account February 8, 2025.
Former President Joe Biden, who implemented the policy encouraging paper straws, had aimed to significantly reduce the government’s use of disposable plastic by 2035. Biden’s administration emphasized the detrimental impacts of plastic pollution on the habitat and public health, stating, “Plastic pollution has a negative impact on the environment and public health.” The Biden administration also supported the broader goal of ending plastic pollution by 2040.
Following California’s led in banning plastic straws in 2019, several other states, including New York, Washington, D.C., and Colorado, also implemented similar bans.
This latest move by Trump marks a reversal of a trend that gained momentum during Biden’s presidency. Interestingly, the plastic straw became a symbol of resistance within trump’s own 2019 presidential campaign, marketed as a product opposing the “liberal” agenda Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, tweeted, “Making Straws Great Again (Make Plastic Straws for Brotherhood Again).”
the resurgence of plastic straws sparks renewed debate about environmental responsibility and the balance between individual convenience and collective impact.As the world grapples with the growing issue of plastic pollution, the decision to prioritize plastic straws raises questions about the effectiveness and long-term consequences of such policy reversals.
Moving forward, it is crucial for individuals, policymakers, and businesses to engage in a thoughtful and collaborative effort to explore lasting alternatives and minimize the environmental impact of everyday choices.
