Trump signs executive order to reverse federal paper straw ban

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reversing a key environmental policy put in place by former President Joe Biden.

The order, signed on Monday, ends the federal government’s efforts to replace plastic straws with paper alternatives, calling for a return to plastic straws across government operations.

The move marks a significant policy shift, undoing Biden’s plan to phase out single-use plastics, including straws, across all federal operations by 2035. Biden’s administration had already committed to ending federal purchases of plastic straws, utensils, and other single-use plastics by 2027 in an effort to reduce plastic pollution.

Trump's order, which takes effect immediately, aims to stop the use of paper straws within federal agencies and calls for a national strategy to eliminate them within 45 days.

The former president has long been a vocal critic of paper straws, which have been touted as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Trump has previously described them as "nonfunctional," citing their tendency to break apart or dissolve in liquids, particularly with hot drinks.

During a Monday press conference at the White House, he emphasised the practical shortcomings of paper straws, adding that they are "more expensive to produce than plastic straws" and often require multiple straws for one drink.

"It’s a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws," Trump declared, reiterating his longstanding preference for plastic over paper. He also pointed out that paper straws are frequently individually wrapped in plastic, a contradiction that undermines their environmental benefits.

The policy reversal was swiftly followed by a statement from the Biden administration, which highlighted the environmental benefits of reducing plastic waste, particularly in oceans. Biden’s government had intended to cut the use of single-use plastics in federal operations, including food packaging and events, as part of broader climate action initiatives.

Trump’s latest executive order mirrors actions taken during his 2020 presidential campaign when his team sold branded plastic straws as an alternative to the paper straws promoted by environmental activists. The campaign reportedly raised nearly $500,000 from straw sales in just the first few weeks.

The move is also a reflection of Trump’s broader stance on environmental issues, where he has often framed efforts to combat climate change as costly or impractical for American businesses and consumers. His return to advocating for plastic straws comes as part of a wider push against policies seen as overly restrictive or burdensome to the economy.

However, environmental groups have already condemned the policy shift, warning that it undermines efforts to address plastic pollution and its harmful impact on marine life and ecosystems.

Studies have shown that single-use plastics, such as straws, contribute significantly to plastic waste in the oceans. Trump’s reversal also comes amid growing concerns over the chemicals used in paper straws, such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which have been linked to a range of health issues.

Cities like Seattle, Washington, and states such as California and New Jersey have already implemented their own bans on plastic straws or instituted policies requiring businesses to provide them only upon request, further highlighting the divide between local and federal government policies on plastic use.

In response to Trump's executive order, environmental advocates have called for renewed action at the state level, urging cities and states to continue pushing for restrictions on plastic straws, while federal lawmakers seek alternatives to plastic that can be used across industries.