• Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order promoting the use of plastic straws, reversing Biden's environmental policies.
• Trump's announcements sparked significant backlash and online discussions about their environmental impact.
• Many environmental advocates are concerned about the ramifications of increased plastic usage and its effects on wildlife.

President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to sign an executive order next week promoting the use of plastic straws, effectively reversing former President Joe Biden's initiative to phase out single-use plastics across federal government operations. In a post on Truth Social, Trump 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 statement signals a return to previously critiqued environmental policies that focused on reducing reliance on plastic products, a direction that Biden has been advocating since last year with his plan to eliminate single-use plastics by 2035.

Under Biden’s administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made efforts to tackle plastic pollution, including mandates aimed at curbing the use of single-use plastics, which threaten marine life and public health through microplastic contamination. Recognizing these environmental concerns, Biden’s administration sought to eliminate plastics from all federal operations and identified the need for more sustainable materials.

Trump’s move to promote plastic straws has drawn sharp criticism and sparked a lively debate online. Many social media users have pointed out that plastic straws significantly contribute to ocean pollution and threaten wildlife. One user remarked, “Have you seen a sea turtle having a plastic straw pulled out of its nostrils? That turtle was one of the lucky ones.” Others have echoed similar sentiments, questioning the environmental ramifications of such a reversal.

In his post, Trump criticized alternative materials, declaring, “Enjoy your next drink without a straw that disgustingly dissolves in your mouth!!!” He has previously condemned paper straws as inadequate, citing their tendency to disintegrate, and has drawn support from other conservatives who argue this decision will return common-sense solutions to beverage service.

Historically, Trump’s stance on environmental matters has leaned towards supporting fossil fuel interests and deregulation. His administration had already made strides to roll back environmental protections, including those aimed at reducing plastic waste. In line with this, studies have raised concerns over the notable presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - chemicals often found in paper and biodegradable products which pose health risks.

Many environmental organizations have expressed disappointment, with advocates stating that such policies only exacerbate the ongoing pollution crisis. “Instead of doing what is necessary to protect Americans’ health, communities and coasts from pervasive plastic pollution, Trump is announcing executive orders that are more about messaging than finding solutions,” said Christy Leavitt, plastics campaign director at Oceana.

Trump's anticipated executive order raises questions about the future direction of environmental policy in the U.S. as plastic production is projected to expand dramatically, contributing significantly to global pollution. Advocates fear that this shift may hinder efforts to combat climate change and protect wildlife.

Read more about this story on The Guardian.