• Trump plans to sign an executive order to reinstate plastic straws, criticizing Biden's push for environmentally friendly alternatives.
• The former president's order is a response to Biden's initiative to phase out single-use plastics from federal operations by 2035.
• Paper straws, previously promoted under Biden, have been labeled ineffective by Trump, who emphasizes support for the plastics industry.

Former President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue an executive order aimed at reinstating plastic straws, following his criticism of the Biden administration's efforts to eliminate single-use plastics. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, “I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don’t work. BACK TO PLASTIC!”

This decision marks a direct challenge to the initiatives set forth by former President Joe Biden, who last year outlined a national strategy to reduce plastic pollution, including a directive for the federal government to phase out single-use plastics entirely by 2035. Biden's administration has maintained that plastic waste poses significant threats to the environment, affecting oceans and wildlife.

During his tenure, Trump has consistently opposed policies aimed at reducing plastic use, previously describing paper straws as unpractical during a rally in 2020. He famously remarked, "Has anyone tried those paper straws? They're not working too good," emphasizing his preference for traditional plastic straws. His campaign even sold branded plastic straws, promoting them as a response to "liberal paper straws" that “don’t work,” as reported by Newsweek.

Trump’s imminent executive order is seen as part of a broader strategy to revert environmental regulations initiated by the Biden administration. His policies during his first term included withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and promoting fossil fuel production, both of which align with his current stance on plastic use. In contrast, advocates for sustainability argue that the switch to paper straws is a necessary step towards tackling the plastic waste crisis.

As discussions continue over the impacts of plastic on the environment, this latest move by Trump is likely to reignite debates on the balance between industrial interests and environmental sustainability, making it clear that the issue of plastic straws remains a contentious topic in American politics.Source.