Trump to reverse Biden’s plastic straw ban

The US president has previously complained about “liberal” paper straws, saying they disintegrate while in use

US President Donald Trump has promised to sign an executive order against paper straws next week. The move would reverse former President Joe Biden’s plan to phase out single-use plastic products in government buildings by 2027.

Trump made the announcement on Friday on his social media platform, Truth Social.

“I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don’t work. BACK TO PLASTIC!”

Trump has frequently expressed his dissatisfaction with paper straws. 

During a campaign rally in 2020, he remarked, “Has anyone tried those paper straws? They’re not working too good.” He criticized them for disintegrating during use and questioned their practicality. 

In 2019, Trump’s campaign sold red, reusable plastic straws branded with his name. The product’s description stated: “Liberal paper straws don’t work. STAND WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP and buy your pack of recyclable straws today.” The straws were sold in packs of 10 for $15, and the initiative reportedly raised nearly $500,000. 

“The paper straws come wrapped in cellophane, do you ever see this? I mean, what’s going on?” he mused last January during a campaign rally in Iowa. “You got paper straws, they’re wrapped in cellophane. This country’s gone wild.”

In July 2024, the Biden administration unveiled a strategy to eliminate single-use plastics from federal operations, aiming to phase out items like plastic straws from food service, events, and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led the initiative, pushing for more sustainable materials. Several states, including California and New York, had already banned plastic straws.