Honestly, it was only a matter of time. If you’ve been paying any attention to the political pendulum in D.C., you probably saw this one coming from a mile away. On February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump made it official. He signed an executive order specifically aimed at killing off the Biden-era phase-out of plastic straws.
It’s personal for him. Really.
You might remember back in 2019 and 2020 when the Trump campaign actually sold "Trump Straws"—bright red plastic ones—to mock the "liberal" paper versions. He’s always hated them. During the signing, he didn't hold back, complaining that paper straws "break" and "explode" and basically turn into a soggy mess before you can even finish a soda. To him, this isn't just about trash; it’s about what he calls "common sense" and getting rid of "virtue signaling" that makes daily life slightly more annoying.
Why the sudden pivot back to plastic?
The whole "straw war" started getting serious under the previous administration. Joe Biden had a pretty massive plan. He wasn't just coming for your local Starbucks straw; he wanted to phase out single-use plastics across the entire federal government by 2035. That included national parks, federal buildings, and even military bases. The goal was to lead by example and jumpstart a "circular economy."
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But Trump sees it differently.
His new executive order, titled "Ending the Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws," doesn't just allow plastic; it actively discourages the paper alternatives. The administration argues that paper straws are actually worse for you. They’ve pointed to studies—like one from the University of Antwerp—showing that paper straws often contain PFAS, those "forever chemicals" used to keep them from dissolving instantly.
Kinda ironic, right? The "eco-friendly" option might be leaking chemicals into your drink.
The Trump administration is also hitting the economic angle. Paper straws are more expensive to make. They require more energy and water to produce than their plastic cousins. By forcing the federal government to buy plastic again, the White House claims they’re saving taxpayer money and supporting American manufacturing.
What Biden’s plan actually was (and what’s gone)
Before this reversal, the federal government was on a strict diet. Biden’s 2024 strategy was a multi-phase operation:
- Phase 1: Eliminate single-use plastics from federal food service and events by 2027.
- Phase 2: Total phase-out from all federal operations by 2035.
- Phase 3: A long-term goal of 90% bio-based plastics by 2050.
Trump basically took a metaphorical sledgehammer to the first two points. By rescinding the previous orders, he’s ensured that plastic stays on the menu at every federal cafeteria and gift shop. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum even stepped in to formally nix the plan that would have cleared plastic bottles and straws out of National Parks by 2032.
If you're visiting the Grand Canyon next summer, don't be surprised to see plastic everywhere again.
The "Soggy Straw" frustration is real
Let's be real for a second. Almost everyone hates paper straws. You’re halfway through a milkshake, and suddenly the straw is a wet noodle. It’s a small thing, but it’s a universal annoyance. Trump knows this. He’s tapping into a specific kind of "regulatory fatigue" where people feel like the government is overreaching into the tiny details of their lives.
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But environmentalists are, predictably, losing it.
Greenpeace and other groups argue that straws are just the "gateway plastic." While they only make up a fraction of the millions of tons of plastic entering the ocean every year, they represent a shift in mindset. If we can't even get rid of a tiny plastic tube, how are we going to handle the massive mountains of plastic packaging from Amazon or grocery stores?
They’re also worried about the message this sends globally. The U.S. was finally sitting at the table for a Global Plastics Treaty. Now? It looks like we’re pulling back, joining countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia that aren't too keen on production caps.
The health debate: PFAS vs. Microplastics
This is where it gets murky.
The Trump team leans heavily on the PFAS argument. These chemicals stay in your body forever and are linked to all sorts of nasty health issues. If paper straws are full of them, why are we using them?
On the flip side, plastic straws break down into microplastics. We’re now finding microplastics in human blood, lungs, and even placentas. Environmental advocates say that by going back to plastic, we’re just trading one chemical problem for another.
The reality is probably somewhere in the middle. Neither option is perfect. Stainless steel or bamboo straws are way better, but they’re not convenient for a drive-thru.
What this means for your local coffee shop
Here is the kicker: Trump’s order only affects the federal government.
It doesn't change the law in California, New York, or Seattle. If you live in a city that has banned plastic straws, this executive order does absolutely nothing for you. You’re still getting the paper straw.
However, it does create a weird "patchwork" across the country. You might get a plastic straw at a federal courthouse but a paper one at the cafe across the street. It’s confusing for businesses and frustrating for consumers.
The plastic industry is thrilled, obviously. They see this as a sign that the "war on plastic" is over. Matt Seaholm, the head of the Plastics Industry Association, called it a move toward "science-based" policy. He thinks we should be focusing on better recycling, not banning useful products.
What’s next?
If you're wondering what to do with this information, it basically comes down to where you stand on the "convenience vs. conservation" scale.
Watch the courts. Environmental groups are already preparing lawsuits to challenge the reversal, arguing the administration didn't follow the proper "notice and comment" periods before axing the Biden rules. This could be tied up in legal limbo for months.
Check your state laws. Since the federal government is stepping back, states like California and Maine are actually doubling down. Some are moving toward "Extended Producer Responsibility" (EPR) laws, which make companies pay for the waste they create.
Invest in a reusable. If you truly hate paper straws but feel guilty about plastic, just buy a $5 titanium or silicone straw. Keep it in your car. It solves the "soggy straw" problem and the "dead turtle" problem at the same time.
Basically, the "straw wars" are back in full swing. One side sees a victory for freedom and functionality; the other sees a massive step backward for the planet. Either way, the era of the soggy paper straw isn't over yet—it's just no longer mandatory in the eyes of the White House.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the "National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws" that the administration is supposed to release in the coming weeks. It’ll likely outline how they plan to pressure states and private businesses to follow their lead and bring back the plastic.