US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reversing a Biden administration policy to replace plastic straws with paper.
The executive order would roll back the earlier order of Biden administration policy to phase out the federal purchases of single-use plastics, including straws, from food service operations, events and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035.
The new order calls for the development of a National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws within 45 days to alleviate the forced use of paper straws nationwide.
“It’s a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws,” Trump told reporters at the White House as he signed the order.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2025
“These (paper straws) things don’t work. I’ve had them many times, and on occasion, they break, they explode,” Trump said.
“The Federal government is directed to stop purchasing paper straws and ensure they are no longer provided within Federal buildings. The Order requires the development of a National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws within 45 days to alleviate the forced use of paper straws nationwide,” a White House statement said.
“Cities and states across America have banned paper straws, caving to pressure from woke activists who prioritize symbolism over science. Paper straws use chemicals that may carry risks to human health – including “forever chemical” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) which are known to be highly water soluble and can bleed from the straw into a drink,” the statement added.
The order also said that paper straws are more expensive than plastic straws and “often force users to use multiple straws.” It added that paper straws are “not the eco-friendly alternative they claim to be” and added that producing paper straws can have a larger carbon footprint and require more water than plastic straws.
Trump said that he thinks that continuing using plastic straws is “Ok” even as they have been blamed for polluting oceans and harming marine life. The fresh move of the US president has received praise from the plastic manufacturing industry.
