President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to end “procurement and forced use of paper straw.”
The order directs the federal government to halt the purchase of paper straws and confirm that it is no longer available in federal buildings, according to a White House fact sheet.
Additionally, the development of a “national strategy” is required to end the use of paper straws within 45 days and to “reduce the forced use of paper straws nationwide.”
“Back to plastic!”: Trump swears executive order to end the “outrageous” push to end the paper straws
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to eliminate “procurement and forced use of paper straw.” (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
According to the White House, paper straws are more expensive than plastic straws and use chemicals that can pose a risk to human health.
“An irrational campaign against plastic straws forced Americans to use non-functional paper straws,” the fact sheet added, “this ends under President Trump.”
The order comes after Trump vowed last week to end the plastic straw ban and restrictions.
Last week, President Trump said he would end the “forced use” of paper straw via an executive order. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“Next week I'll sign an executive order. I can end Biden's stupid straw push, but it won't work,” Trump said Friday in The Truth Society. “Back to plastic!”
Some Democrat-run states, There are disposable or restrictions, including California, Colorado, New York, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, Rhode Island and Washington.
Some of these states currently have laws restricting the use of single-use plastic straws in full-service restaurants unless requested by their customers.
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President Trump previously said, “Liberal paper straw doesn't work.” (Washington Post via Javin Botsford/Getty Images)
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The Democratic-led state is also using the use of paper straws as a greener alternative that Trump has long criticised. He said in a 2019 social media post that “liberal paper straws don't work.”
This comes after former President Joe Biden's administration announced in July that the federal government plans to phase out single-use plastics.
Aubrie Spady from Fox News contributed to this report.