During former President Joe Biden’s tenure, the Department of the Interior in 2022 issued a directive aiming to phase out all single-use plastic products by 2032 on federal lands, including national parks. This directive was in alignment with an executive order from Biden, instructing federal departments and agencies to reduce waste and promote the use of recycled materials. However, shortly after taking office, Trump swiftly rescinded Biden’s order last month.
In addition to federal actions, various municipalities across the country have implemented regulations targeting single-use plastics, particularly plastic straws. While the shift towards paper straws has been lauded for its environmental benefits, it has faced criticism due to their tendency to break down quickly, leading to consumer dissatisfaction. Trump and other Republican figures have often seized upon the paper straw debate as a means to challenge Democratic environmental policies.
In response to environmental concerns, Trump downplayed the impact of plastic waste on marine life, suggesting that it would not significantly affect creatures like sharks as they navigate the oceans. Notably, during his 2020 reelection campaign, Trump’s team capitalized on the paper straw controversy by selling Trump-branded plastic straws, asserting that they were a superior alternative to “ineffective” paper straws. The campaign’s online store emphasized the notion that paper straws favored by liberals were less practical and durable than their plastic counterparts.
This divisive stance taken by Trump in favor of plastic over paper straws has stirred controversy and reignited debates surrounding environmental conservation efforts.
