In a world of global crises, economic upheaval, and geopolitical tensions, President Donald J. Trump has found a new opponent he deems worthy of an executive order—paper straws.
On February 10, 2025, Trump signed an executive order banning paper straws from federal agencies saying, “These things don’t work”, declaring plastic straws the victor in his war of “common sense.”
Talking about paper straws he said, “On occasion they break, they explode. If something’s hot they don’t last very long- a matter of minutes- sometimes seconds. It’s a ridiculous situation.”
His executive order, titled “Ending the Forced Use of Paper Straws,” halts the purchase of paper straws by federal agencies, claiming paper straws use chemicals that may carry risks to human health – including “forever chemical” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) which are known to be highly water soluble and can bleed from the straw into a drink.
The order claims that “a study found that while PFAS were found in paper straws, no measurable PFAS were found in plastic straws.” So instead of paper straws, which are the product of “woke activists”, according to the order, the administration will return to good old-fashioned plastic.
Trump insists the plastic straws are “not bad for the environment” and that he doesn’t think they will “harm a shark as they are munching their way through the ocean.”
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The Plastic Straw Debate: Myth vs. Reality
Belgian scientists recently released research findings indicating that paper straws contain low levels of forever chemicals, known as PFAS. However, researchers also tested plastic, bamboo, and stainless steel straws, and found PFAS in all straws- except stainless steel.
While Trump might dismiss the environmental concerns, the numbers about plastic straws tell a different story. Americans are estimated to use 170-500 million plastic straws every day- (although the true number remains elusive). Because straws are small and lightweight, most end up in landfills or our oceans instead of a recycling plant, where they take up to 200 years to break down.
Plastic straws are considered to be among the top 10 contributors to plastic marine debris globally and a 2016 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation projects that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight.
The impact of plastic straws on marine life was notably highlighted by a 2015 viral video showing a sea turtle with a plastic straw lodged in its nostril, which brought widespread attention to the issue and made plastic straws the poster child for the global movement to ban single-use plastics.
Europe vs. America: A Tale of Two Policies
In an effort to demonstrate environmental stewardship, the European Union took what was then considered to be a radical approach in 2021 and banned plastic straws, cutlery, and other single-use plastics in favor of biodegradable alternatives.
The move aims to curb ocean pollution and promote sustainability, but enforcement varies across the EU. Austria has made significant progress, while in Greece, plastic straws—deceptively labeled “reusable”—are still commonly found.
Implementation aside, the contrast between the U.S. under Trump and Europe couldn’t be starker—while Europe is pushing to eliminate single-use plastics, Trump is bringing them back.
Reactions: Cheers, Jeers, and Mockery
Trump’s move has sparked a predictable mix of applause, outrage, and ridicule. Conservatives and business groups welcomed the decision, calling paper straws an unnecessary inconvenience.
“Finally, we can drink without paper turning to mush in our mouths,” tweeted one Trump supporter. Meanwhile, environmentalists blasted the reversal as “a gift to the fossil fuel and plastics industry.”
Another viewer on social media, struck by disbeleif, said the video of Trump signing the executive order “must be AI.”
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel couldn’t resist mocking the decision: “Wait a minute, I’m with him on it not lasting very long, but they explode?” Kimmel exclaimed. “His straws are exploding? How hard is he sucking?”
The Bigger Picture
While the straw debate might seem trivial, it underscores deeper ideological divides—individual convenience vs. environmental responsibility, deregulation vs. sustainability.
More than that, it reflects Trump’s unwavering support for industry, particularly fossil fuels, and his broader push to dismantle what he calls the “woke” movement and climate action efforts.
As much of the world moves toward greener policies- including China– Trump’s executive order signals that in the U.S., at least for now, plastic is back.
