Trump Brings Back Plastic Straws – Because Paper Straws "Don’t Work"

If you’ve ever struggled with a soggy paper straw in your iced coffee, Donald Trump just made sure you won’t have to—at least not at federal agencies. The former president has signed an executive order banning the use of paper straws in federal operations, citing their inefficiency, higher cost, and supposed larger carbon footprint. Instead, he’s bringing back plastic straws, claiming they’re the superior option.

This move reverses a Biden-era policy that aimed to phase out single-use plastics from federal operations by 2035. Trump’s reasoning? He believes paper straws “disintegrate disgustingly” and that plastic won’t really affect marine life—especially sharks, which he imagines are just “munching their way through the ocean.”

While the debate over straws may seem trivial, it’s part of a much bigger environmental issue. Single-use plastics contribute to the 400 million tons of plastic waste generated globally every year. With only 9% of that getting recycled and the rest polluting our land and oceans, environmentalists argue that moving back to plastic straws is a step in the wrong direction. Microplastics have already infiltrated seafood and drinking water, posing serious health risks. And plastic production alone accounts for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions—comparable to the entire aviation industry.

At Vyakti India, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of everything we create. The fight against wasteful plastic isn’t about choosing between paper or plastic straws; it’s about rethinking the way we consume and dispose of materials altogether. Whether it’s our plant-based accessories or our efforts toward circularity, we believe in solutions that work for both people and the planet.

.