Why has Donald Trump Ended the Procurement of Paper Straws?

President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order to end the procurement and "forced use" of paper straws.

An announcement on the White House's website outlines how the Federal Government is being directed to stop purchasing paper straws and ensure they are no longer provided within federal buildings.

The order requires the development of a 'National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws' within 45 days to alleviate the "forced use" of paper straws nationwide.

In a move touted to "bring back common sense", the order outlines the "irrational campaign" against plastic straws, which has forced Americans "to use non-functional paper straws."

The order is there to relieve the "pressure" on cities and states across the US from "woke activists who prioritise symbolism over science" to ban plastic straws.

The announcement states that paper straws use chemicals that may carry risks to human health – including "forever chemical" PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) which are known to be highly water-soluble and can bleed from the straw into a drink.

The announcement highlights a study, 'The last straw: Characterisation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in commercially-available plant-based drinking straws', which found that, while PFAS were found in paper straws, no measurable PFAS were found in plastic straws.

It also says that paper straws are more expensive than plastic straws and often force users to use multiple straws, meaning they are "not the eco-friendly alternative they claim to be". The White House website also points to studies that argue paper straw production can have a larger carbon footprint and require more water than plastic straws.

Papers straws arriving wrapped individually in plastic is also said to be "undermining the environmental argument for their use". 

Calls for better materials

Campaigners seeking plastics reform have surprised some by voicing support for the removal of paper straws due to the aforementioned studies.

Alex Robinson, CEO of Hubbub, wrote on LinkedIn: "It seems like paper straws might have more PFAS – not through attempts to make them waterproof but just by accident, from the supply chain. And PFAS can leach into drinks, and into our bodies.

"If that's right, what's the solution? Plastic straws are an abomination and clearly not the right answer. But paper ones just don't work as well.

"And yes, I know – no straws is the right answer, most of the time. But we have billions of them to displace. I'm inclined to agree with plastics campaigner Sian Sutherland (Co-Founder at A Plastic Planet): what we need is materials innovation. Because while convenience is king, single-use plastics will thrive and straw bans are a drop in the ocean.

"We need better materials, ASAP. And where we can, we need to replace plastics with options that don't feel like a compromise."

Sian appeared on BBC News to discuss President Trump's order. Sharing a clip on LinkedIn, she wrote: "A rare moment of agreement with President Trump on BBC News tonight.

"Of course, paper straws suck. So, let's create something better. Is it really beyond us? Or have we not yet created the imperative, the vacuum that innovation will flourish in? It's time to ban single-use plastic once and for all. No going backwards, Mr President. Plastic is last century's material, last century's economy."

Trump's effort towards sustainability

The report stresses that President Trump has made it a top priority to promote a clean and healthy environment for the American people.

The new administration's policy is "promoting economic growth, while still maintaining standards that allow Americans to have among the cleanest air and water in the world."

This is just one part of the President's approach to environmental conservation, which has seen Trump championing "improved forest management in order to prevent forest fires that are devastating communities and ecosystems across the country". 

There has also been a pause in the expansion of windmills and the signing of the ‘Save Our Seas Act’ to preserve and protect bodies of water from being littered with rubbish. 

Elsewhere, Trump's efforts to secure America's energy independence with the domestic supply of clean coal and natural gas "not only strengthens national security but provides some of the cleanest energy in the world". 

As the result of this order, yet to play out, it is clear that the use of paper straws was not a wholly positive move.

But, it is clear, there is a need for a conversation, on the best way to find a sustainable alternative.

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