President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday aimed at promoting the use of plastic drinking straws within the US government and among consumers. This decision marks a shift from former President Biden's efforts to reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
During the signing in the Oval Office, Trump expressed his support for plastic straws, stating, 'We're going back to plastic straws.' He also downplayed the environmental impact of plastic waste on marine life, suggesting that sharks would not be significantly affected by plastic consumption.
In response to the executive order, the Department of the Interior initiated a plan in 2022 to phase out single-use plastics on public lands by 2032. This initiative aligns with the broader goal set by the Biden administration to eliminate single-use plastics from federal government operations by 2035.
Notably, Trump and other Republicans have used paper straws as a symbolic gesture to oppose environmental policies supported by Democrats.
