The Biden administration’s plan to phase out single-use plastics in federal agencies has been overturned by Donald Trump, who signed an executive order allowing the return of plastic straws. Trump, criticising the move towards paper straws, called the ban a “ridiculous situation”, claiming paper alternatives “explode” and do not function properly.
The decision aligns with Trump’s longstanding opposition to restrictions on plastic use, a stance that has been welcomed by the plastics industry but criticised by environmental advocates. The move also raises questions about its impact on public health and marine pollution, given growing concerns over microplastics in ecosystems and human bodies.
Trump Administration Ends Phase-Out of Single-Use Plastics
Under the Biden administration, federal agencies were set to eliminate single-use plastics by 2035, with a gradual reduction in plastic use in government-related food services and events by 2027.
This policy was part of broader efforts to tackle plastic pollution, described in a now-deleted 83-page report as “one of the most pressing environmental problems in the US and around the globe,” according to government documents.
Trump’s executive order immediately reverses this transition, directing federal agencies to resume purchasing plastic straws and other disposable plastic products. Speaking at the White House,
Trump dismissed concerns over plastic pollution, arguing that using plastic straws “isn’t going to affect the shark very much as they’re munching their way through the ocean.” According to White House staff secretary Will Scharf, the previous policy had cost the government significant amounts of money while frustrating consumers.
The decision has been welcomed by plastic manufacturers, with the Plastics Industry Association stating, “Straws are just the beginning,” and urging wider support for increased plastic production.
However, environmental groups have warned of the long-term impact of reversing federal efforts to curb plastic waste, given that less than 10% of global plastic waste is recycled and single-use plastics account for 40% of all plastic production, according to advocacy group Turtle Island Restoration Network.
Health and environmental concerns surrounding microplastics
Trump’s rollback of the plastic phase-out comes amid growing scientific concerns over microplastic pollution and its potential health risks. Microplastics—tiny plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic waste—have been found in air, water, and human bodies, including the brain, bloodstream, and reproductive organs, according to multiple studies.
Research from the University of New Mexico recently identified higher concentrations of microplastics in human brains than in other organs, with plastic accumulation increasing by 50% over the past eight years.
Experts warn that these particles could contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, disrupt blood flow in capillaries, and interfere with brain cell connections, though further studies are needed to establish direct health effects.
While paper straws have been promoted as an alternative, a 2023 University of Antwerp study found that many contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals”, due to their non-biodegradable nature. These chemicals, also found in plastics, have been linked to immune suppression, hormonal imbalances, and reduced vaccine response, according to environmental toxicologists.
