President Donald Trump has declared his intention to overturn President Joe Biden's initiative promoting the use of paper straws, citing their inefficacy.
In a Truth Social post on Friday morning, Trump announced, "I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which dont work. BACK TO PLASTIC!" This move marks yet another instance in a series of executive orders by Trump aimed at reversing policies implemented by Biden during his presidency.
As reported by The Post Millennial, Biden's executive order, titled "Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles, and Priorities," was introduced in July 2024 as part of a broader strategy to address the so-called "climate crisis." The directive called for a comprehensive response from all federal agencies to curb plastic pollution. The White House emphasized the administration's commitment to "taking ambitious actions to end plastic pollution" and urged the global community to join in reducing the production and consumption of virgin plastics. The order mandated federal agencies to cease purchasing plastic straws in favor of paper alternatives, a decision that has been met with skepticism due to the tendency of paper straws to disintegrate in liquid before a drink is finished.
The Biden administration's plan extended beyond straws, aiming to phase out various plastic items, including polystyrene food and beverage containers, bottles, cups, cutlery, and disposable plastic bags. This initiative followed an earlier executive order that restricted the use of plastic straws and single-use plastics on government or public lands. Many Republicans criticized these measures as excessive, arguing that they imposed unnecessary restrictions.
The rationale behind Biden's policy was grounded in environmental concerns, with the administration noting that plastic items "are the most common type of marine debris found in the ocean, waterways, and Great Lakes." The report from Biden's team highlighted the prevalence of plastic in marine debris, including consumer items like straws and disposable utensils, as well as materials used in fisheries. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program and its partners have been actively addressing this issue. Additionally, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) raised alarms about the disposal of "19,600 metric tons of plastic and other low-value waste" through technical assistance to numerous cities and locally-led grants.
For Trump, however, the primary concern remains the practical functionality of straws. As a known enthusiast of Diet Coke, Trump has even installed a button in his office to summon the beverage at will. His critique of paper straws underscores a broader conservative perspective that prioritizes individual convenience and practicality over regulatory measures perceived as overreaching. This latest executive order is emblematic of Trump's broader agenda to dismantle what he views as burdensome regulations imposed by the previous administration.
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