Trump advocates for plastic straws, asserting paper ones "don't work"
U.S. President Donald Trump is taking steps to overturn a federal initiative aimed at reducing the use of plastic straws, stating that paper straws "don't work."
TroibNews 
U.S. President Donald Trump is initiating a reversal of the federal move away from plastic straws, asserting that paper straws "don't work."
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order, stating: "It's a ridiculous situation. We're going back to plastic straws."
This action from Trump, who has consistently criticized paper straws and previously sold Trump-branded reusable plastic straws during his 2019 reelection campaign at $15 for ten, directly counters a Biden administration initiative aimed at phasing out federal purchases of single-use plastics—including straws—by 2027 for food services and events, and by 2035 for all federal operations.
He expressed his views on Truth Social over the weekend, saying, "Enjoy your next drink without a straw that disgustingly dissolves in your mouth!" He labeled Biden's policy "DEAD!"
The production of plastic contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. More than 90 percent of plastic products originate from fossil fuels, and millions of tons of plastic waste are introduced into the oceans annually.
In contrast, many multinational corporations have shifted away from plastic straws and have made reducing plastic usage an integral part of their sustainability strategies, which makes Trump's action a notable deviation from current business trends.
According to Christy Leavitt, plastics campaign director for the environmental organization Oceana, Trump's order is "more about messaging than finding solutions." She highlighted that a majority of U.S. voters favor mandates for companies to diminish single-use plastic packaging and foodware.
"President Trump is moving in the wrong direction on single-use plastics," Leavitt remarked. "The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis, and we can no longer ignore one of the biggest environmental threats facing our oceans and our planet today."
Leavitt pointed out that plastic pollution has been detected at various locations, including the sea surface, remote coastlines, melting Arctic ice, and even the ocean floor. "It is everywhere," she asserted.
Many states and cities across the U.S. have enacted bans on plastic straws due to their detrimental effects on oceans and marine life, and some restaurants no longer automatically offer plastic straws to customers. However, straws represent just a small fraction of the broader issue.
The environment is filled with various single-use plastic products, such as water bottles, takeout containers, coffee lids, and shopping bags.
Experts estimate that the equivalent of one garbage truck's worth of plastic enters the ocean every minute from various sources, including bags, toothbrushes, bottles, and food packaging.
As these materials decompose in the environment, microplastics have been found in the stomachs of marine life, birds, and other animals, and even in human blood and tissue.
In the United States, over 390 million straws are used daily, predominantly for just 30 minutes, according to advocacy group Straws Turtle Island Restoration Network. They note that straws take at least 200 years to decompose and can threaten turtles and other wildlife as they break down into microplastics.
"To prevent another sea turtle from becoming a victim to plastic, we must make personal lifestyle alterations to fight for these species," the group stated.
Globally, more than 400 million tonnes of new plastic are produced each year, with approximately 40 percent of all plastics utilized for packaging, as reported by the United Nations.
On the international stage, efforts are underway to establish a treaty to tackle plastic pollution. While leaders met in South Korea last year, no agreement was reached. Discussions will continue this year as over 100 countries aim to create a pact that addresses both plastic production and the cleanup and recycling of plastic waste.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order, stating: "It's a ridiculous situation. We're going back to plastic straws."
This action from Trump, who has consistently criticized paper straws and previously sold Trump-branded reusable plastic straws during his 2019 reelection campaign at $15 for ten, directly counters a Biden administration initiative aimed at phasing out federal purchases of single-use plastics—including straws—by 2027 for food services and events, and by 2035 for all federal operations.
He expressed his views on Truth Social over the weekend, saying, "Enjoy your next drink without a straw that disgustingly dissolves in your mouth!" He labeled Biden's policy "DEAD!"
The production of plastic contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. More than 90 percent of plastic products originate from fossil fuels, and millions of tons of plastic waste are introduced into the oceans annually.
In contrast, many multinational corporations have shifted away from plastic straws and have made reducing plastic usage an integral part of their sustainability strategies, which makes Trump's action a notable deviation from current business trends.
According to Christy Leavitt, plastics campaign director for the environmental organization Oceana, Trump's order is "more about messaging than finding solutions." She highlighted that a majority of U.S. voters favor mandates for companies to diminish single-use plastic packaging and foodware.
"President Trump is moving in the wrong direction on single-use plastics," Leavitt remarked. "The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis, and we can no longer ignore one of the biggest environmental threats facing our oceans and our planet today."
Leavitt pointed out that plastic pollution has been detected at various locations, including the sea surface, remote coastlines, melting Arctic ice, and even the ocean floor. "It is everywhere," she asserted.
Many states and cities across the U.S. have enacted bans on plastic straws due to their detrimental effects on oceans and marine life, and some restaurants no longer automatically offer plastic straws to customers. However, straws represent just a small fraction of the broader issue.
The environment is filled with various single-use plastic products, such as water bottles, takeout containers, coffee lids, and shopping bags.
Experts estimate that the equivalent of one garbage truck's worth of plastic enters the ocean every minute from various sources, including bags, toothbrushes, bottles, and food packaging.
As these materials decompose in the environment, microplastics have been found in the stomachs of marine life, birds, and other animals, and even in human blood and tissue.
In the United States, over 390 million straws are used daily, predominantly for just 30 minutes, according to advocacy group Straws Turtle Island Restoration Network. They note that straws take at least 200 years to decompose and can threaten turtles and other wildlife as they break down into microplastics.
"To prevent another sea turtle from becoming a victim to plastic, we must make personal lifestyle alterations to fight for these species," the group stated.
Globally, more than 400 million tonnes of new plastic are produced each year, with approximately 40 percent of all plastics utilized for packaging, as reported by the United Nations.
On the international stage, efforts are underway to establish a treaty to tackle plastic pollution. While leaders met in South Korea last year, no agreement was reached. Discussions will continue this year as over 100 countries aim to create a pact that addresses both plastic production and the cleanup and recycling of plastic waste.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
