Trump’s stance on straws garners mixed reaction

In June 2022, Biden administration Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issued an order calling for the phase-out of single-use plastic products and packaging on public lands by 2032. Secretary’s Order 3407 aimed to reduce procurement, sale and distribution of single-use plastic products on Interior Department-managed land, including national parks, and included products such as food and beverage containers, bottles, straws, cups, cutlery and disposable plastic bags.

The former administration’s push for products it deemed more environmentally friendly, such as paper straws, has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, who announced on Truth Social his intent to sign an executive order Feb. 7 stopping that push.

“I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don’t work. BACK TO PLASTIC!” Trump’s post reads.

The policy shift thus far has received a mixed reaction.

In a response to Trump’s announcement, Washington-based Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) President and CEO Matt Seaholm says, “We know that plastic is the best material for nearly everything it is used for, while being sustainable. Straws are just the beginning— ‘Back to Plastic’ is a movement we should all get behind. We appreciate President Trump’s leadership in recognizing the value of plastics and look forward to working with his administration to advance our industry.”

In another statement, David Derrick, attorney at the Oakland, California-based nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, expresses disappointment in the coming order.

“Trump is grasping at straws by trying to walk back efforts that most Americans strongly support to eliminate unnecessary plastic,” Derrick says. “People hate seeing plastic pollution hurt wildlife and trash the environment. I don’t know what Trump has been sipping that’s put him so out of touch, but this move will make life worse for everybody and seems to have more to do with spite than common sense.”

At the time, Haaland’s order was meant to be part of the implementation of Biden’s Executive Order 14057, which called for federal agencies to minimize waste and support markets for recycled products. The Interior Department had considered numerous alternatives to “account for the variety of geographic locations and social context in which departmental facilities operate.” It noted that paper, bioplastic or composite bags could replace single-use bags; bio-based plastic, glass, aluminum and laminated cartons could replace single-use bottles; and similar material could replace single-use food packaging.

“The Interior Department has an obligation to play a leading role in reducing the impact of plastic waste on our ecosystems and our climate,” Haaland said in her announcement of the 2022 order. “As the steward of the nation’s public lands, including national parks and national wildlife refuges, and as the agency responsible for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats, we are uniquely positioned to do better for our earth.

Sponsored Content

FINGER-SCREEN™ FreeFlow: Reliable screening

The FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ is open below the screening deck surface, allowing material to flow freely through the screen deck, onto a conveyor or bunker below. Unlike other screens without a bottom pan, the FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ can be used as a primary or secondary screen.

Sponsored Content

FINGER-SCREEN™ FreeFlow: Reliable screening

The FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ is open below the screening deck surface, allowing material to flow freely through the screen deck, onto a conveyor or bunker below. Unlike other screens without a bottom pan, the FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ can be used as a primary or secondary screen.

Sponsored Content

FINGER-SCREEN™ FreeFlow: Reliable screening

The FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ is open below the screening deck surface, allowing material to flow freely through the screen deck, onto a conveyor or bunker below. Unlike other screens without a bottom pan, the FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ can be used as a primary or secondary screen.

Sponsored Content

FINGER-SCREEN™ FreeFlow: Reliable screening

The FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ is open below the screening deck surface, allowing material to flow freely through the screen deck, onto a conveyor or bunker below. Unlike other screens without a bottom pan, the FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ can be used as a primary or secondary screen.

Sponsored Content

FINGER-SCREEN™ FreeFlow: Reliable screening

The FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ is open below the screening deck surface, allowing material to flow freely through the screen deck, onto a conveyor or bunker below. Unlike other screens without a bottom pan, the FINGER-SCREEN FreeFlow™ can be used as a primary or secondary screen.

“Today’s order will ensure that the department’s sustainability plans include bold action on phasing out single-use plastic products as we seek to protect our natural environment and the communities around them.”

After his inauguration Jan. 20, Trump used Section 2 of his EO 14148 to revoke Biden’s EO 14057.