This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Trump’s attack on paper straws is mostly symbolic — but the plastics industry is celebrating on Feb 18, 2025. "Each time I voted for you, it was because I knew you'd make things right and you'd fix the wrongs. I'm counting on you now to make this right too."

President Donald Trump reversed course on a Biden administration environmental initiative that had eliminated single-use plastics like straws in federal buildings. The common alternative: paper straws.

Since his return to office, Donald Trump has worked to redefine 'reality' and put his stamp on American life. What's behind his unusual moves?

Trump signed an Executive Order to end the use of paper straws. Here’s what to know about the history of plastic straws.

What to know about President Donald Trump’s executive order encouraging the federal government and consumers to buy plastic drinking straws.

Moving away from single-use plastics, including straws, had been the policy of President Joe Biden’s administration. It cited harmful environmental impacts when they end up in landfills and oceans. Plus the fossil fuels used in the production of plastics send heat-trapping greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

Are paper straws here to stay? Here's how Donald Trump's new executive order for plastic straws applies to Massachusetts.

President Donald Trump signed an order this week to phase out paper straws in federal agencies. Will Florida cities be impacted? What to know

Or plastic bag, for that matter. Just months away from New Jersey reaching three years of banning single-use plastic bags in most stores and paper bags nearly everywhere, one state lawmaker is taking aim at the law.

The announcement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed earlier last week, that reversed the Biden administration's initiative to eliminate single-use pla