US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reversing the government’s efforts to replace plastic straws with paper ones. The order, effective immediately, cancels the measure introduced by former President Joe Biden, who had labeled plastic pollution a “crisis” and initiated a gradual phase-out of plastic straws in 2024.

Speaking at the White House, Trump criticized paper straws, calling them “ineffective” and prone to dissolving in hot drinks. “These things don’t work,” Trump said. “They break, they explode. If something’s hot, they barely last a few minutes.”

Trump has been a long-time critic of paper straws, even selling branded plastic straws during his 2020 presidential campaign as a response to what he called “liberal” straw policies. His campaign reportedly earned nearly $500,000 in straw sales within the first few weeks.

The Debate Over Plastic and Paper Straws

While some US cities and states have restricted plastic straw use, the shift to paper straws has faced criticism due to their lack of durability and environmental concerns. Studies show that paper straws can contain “forever chemicals” like PFAS, which persist in the environment and pose health risks.

Trump’s order directs government agencies to stop purchasing paper straws and develop a nationwide strategy to eliminate them. This move is likely to reignite debates over environmental policy, with supporters arguing that plastic straws are more practical and critics emphasizing the impact of plastic waste on the environment.

The Biden administration’s initial plan aimed to phase out all single-use plastics from federal operations by 2035. However, Trump’s latest directive signals a significant policy shift, prioritizing practicality over environmental concerns in the debate over straws.