WASHINGTON – President Trump wrote an executive order Monday night that overturned former President Joe Biden's ban on plastic straws in the federal government.
“We're going back to plastic straws. These things don't work,” the 78-year-old Trump said in his oval office after signing the orders, referring to paper straws.
“I had them many times, and sometimes they broke and they exploded.”
Trump announced Friday that he signed an order that reversed Biden-era policies, promoting the use of paper straws over single-use plastic.
Biden pledged “staged” plastics for federal foodservice in July 2024, with procurement scheduled for 2027.
The Biden order also applied to plastic cutlery and other packaging.
“In the last 20 years, plastic production and waste have doubled, scattering the oceans, poisoning the air in communities near production facilities, and threatening public health,” the then democratic administration said.
Environmentalists have helped ban plastic straw, citing their impact on marine wildlife. Critics of the restrictions argue that consumers will be unfairly inconvenient to resolve the pollution problem that the US contributes to a small percentage.
Trump himself complained that he “will not work” because the paper straw was flooded and he didn't retain his shape.
“Next week I'll sign an executive order. I'll end Biden's stupid straw push, but that won't work,” the president initially wrote on Truth Social Friday.
“Back to plastic!”
Trump then went further on Saturday, writing that Biden's mission was “dead.”
“The Bent Joe's mission, “Plastic Straw, Only Paper” is dead! Enjoy your next drink without the straw that melts in your mouth!!!” he wrote.
Trump made an annoying similar statement on the campaign trail in 2020, saying, “They want to ban straws. Has anyone tried those paper straws? They're not working too well.
“If you drink it it will break down.”
