Trump Reinstates Plastic Straws in Latest Rollback of Environmental Policies

U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed restrictions on plastic straws, declaring a return to the widely used single-use item. “We’re going back to plastic straws,” Trump announced at the White House while signing the executive order, criticizing paper alternatives by saying, “They don’t work.”

Trump downplayed concerns about plastic pollution’s impact on marine life. “I don’t think plastic is going to affect a shark very much, as they’re munching their way through the ocean,” he remarked.

Reversing Biden’s Environmental Policies

The move is part of a broader effort to roll back environmental regulations introduced by his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. Under Biden, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had developed a voluntary action plan to reduce non-biodegradable single-use plastics, citing their harmful effects on ecosystems and food supplies. The plan was published in November, aiming to cut consumption through regulatory and voluntary measures.

In addition to reinstating plastic straws, Trump rescinded a Biden administration policy that aimed to eliminate single-use plastic products on federal lands by 2032.

Global Debate on Plastic Pollution

The reinstatement of plastic straws comes as dozens of countries implement stricter bans on single-use plastics, which are primarily derived from petrochemicals and used in disposable items like shopping bags and bottles. However, global negotiations on a binding plastic reduction treaty collapsed last year, as major plastic-producing nations resisted caps on production.

Growing Plastic Waste Crisis

Environmental experts warn that plastic waste pollution is worsening. According to research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), plastic waste dumped into the environment is projected to increase from 81 million metric tons in 2020 to as much as 119 million tons by 2040.

Trump’s order marks yet another step away from international climate efforts, including his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time at the start of his second term.

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