President Donald Trump has announced plans to sign an executive order next week that will put an end to the Biden administration’s push to replace plastic straws with paper ones. Trump criticized the shift, arguing that paper straws are ineffective and don’t work well for consumers, and he intends to reverse this change by bringing back plastic straws.
In November 2024, President Joe Biden introduced a national strategy aimed at reducing plastic pollution, which included efforts to decrease the use of single-use plastics like plastic straws. This initiative was part of a broader push to encourage the use of more sustainable materials. However, for many conservatives, Biden’s policy represents unnecessary government interference and a move away from practical solutions.
During his 2020 re-election campaign, Trump marketed plastic straws as an alternative to what he labeled as the ineffective paper straws promoted by the left. His campaign encouraged supporters to choose plastic, framing it as a common-sense solution compared to the more environmentally driven options that liberals were pushing.
Trump’s stance on environmental issues has always been one of supporting American businesses and reducing government regulation. Unlike Biden, whose policies have been backed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Trump rolled back many of the regulations put in place by previous administrations, including those around plastic waste. He has been outspoken in his opposition to progressive environmental policies, such as the Green New Deal, which he believes could harm the economy.
Trump’s executive order is just one part of his broader efforts to restructure the federal workforce and reduce government spending. Reports indicate that many employees in the EPA’s environmental justice division are being placed on paid leave, as part of Trump’s push to streamline government operations. His administration also offered financial incentives for federal workers to resign, reflecting his ongoing goal of reducing the size and scope of government.
Trump’s actions and stance on environmental and social issues continue to appeal to conservative voters who are looking for a return to policies that support business, individual choice, and practicality, rejecting the overreach they see in Biden’s agenda. With the upcoming executive order, Trump is doubling down on these values, pushing for a return to plastic straws and a rejection of what he sees as ineffective, left-leaning policies.