GUWAHATI: US President Donald Trump has announced plans to overturn the Biden administration’s initiative to phase out plastic straws across federal operations. Declaring that paper alternatives "don’t work," Trump vowed to bring back plastic straws, stating it’s “BACK TO PLASTIC” in a post on his Truth Social platform.
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“I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for paper straws, which don’t work,” Trump wrote.
The Biden administration’s plastic phaseout, announced last year, aims to eliminate single-use plastics from federal food services, events, and packaging by 2027, with a broader ban across all federal operations by 2035. However, it remains unclear whether Trump's proposed executive order would entirely revoke this initiative or focus solely on plastic straws. The White House has not yet commented on the matter.
The U.S. government, recognised as one of the largest consumers of goods worldwide, had framed its plastic reduction strategy as a milestone in the global fight against plastic pollution. The policy sought to reduce reliance on disposable plastics while fostering a market for reusable, compostable, or easily recyclable alternatives.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global plastic consumption has quadrupled over the past 30 years, surpassing 400 million tons annually. Experts estimate that one garbage truck's worth of plastic enters the ocean every minute, while only 9% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide. Additionally, growing concerns about microplastics in food, water, and the human body have heightened calls for stronger regulations.
Efforts to negotiate a global treaty on plastic waste have faced setbacks, particularly due to resistance from the oil and gas industry, which supplies the raw materials for plastic production. Talks stalled in December 2024, with fossil fuel producers opposing stricter regulations.
Trump’s pledge to reintroduce plastic straws is expected to benefit the fossil fuel sector, which has been a major donor to his campaign. His stance aligns with industry interests, reinforcing demand for plastic-based products.
