Page 20 - Plastics News February 2025
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ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Back to Plastic! Trump Takes Aim
at Biden’s Paper Straw Policy
n yet another move igniting cultural and en- also expressed frustration over their durability,
vironmental debates, U.S. President Donald claiming they fall apart while drinking and create
ITrump has pledged to reverse the Biden ad- a mess, particularly for those wearing ties.
ministration’s push for eco-friendly paper straws.
In a recent social media post on Truth Social, To emphasize his stance, Trump’s campaign
Trump criticized the policy and announced his even sold plastic straws emblazoned with the
plan to sign an executive order restoring plastic slogan, “Liberal paper straws don’t work.” This
straws. marketing tactic resonated with his supporters,
further embedding the issue into the broader
“I will be signing an Executive Order next week culture wars between conservatives and pro-
ending the ridiculous Biden push for paper gressives.
straws, which don’t work. BACK TO PLASTIC!”
Trump declared. His statement signals a reversal The Implications of Trump’s Executive Order
of the environmental policies introduced under Trump’s executive order is expected to be met
Joe Biden’s administration. with strong approval from his base, while Dem-
ocratic lawmakers and environmental groups
The Biden administration had outlined a plan
to phase out single-use plastic items, including will likely challenge it. Environmental advocates
straws and utensils, from government facilities argue that plastic pollution remains a pressing
by 2035. This initiative aimed to curb plastic pol- global concern, and rolling back sustainability ef-
lution and encourage sustainability. Environmen- forts could have long-term consequences.
tal activists have long supported such measures, As the debate over plastic and paper straws con-
citing the harmful effects of plastic waste on ma- tinues, Trump’s latest move highlights the ongo-
rine life and ecosystems. However, critics argue ing political divide over environmental policies,
that paper straws are impractical and ineffec- with sustainability efforts caught in the crossfire
tive, often dissolving quickly and proving incon- of partisan agendas.
venient for users.
Source:- Financial Express
Trump’s Long-Standing Opposition to Paper
Straws
Trump’s disdain for paper straws is well-docu-
mented. Throughout his political career, he has
frequently mocked them in speeches. During a
2020 rally, he sarcastically questioned their ef-
ficiency, saying, “Has anyone tried those paper
straws? They are not working too good.” He
20 PLASTICS NEWS February 2025
