USA government eases plastic waste rules, drawing environmental criticism

USA – US President Donald Trump has announced plans to roll back restrictions on plastic straws in government buildings and federally managed lands, a move that has sparked criticism from environmental advocates.

The decision reverses a ban introduced by former President Joe Biden, which aimed to phase out single-use plastics in government facilities by 2035.

In 2024, President Joe Biden signed an executive order mandating the elimination of single-use plastics in federal food service operations by 2027, with a complete ban in government buildings by 2035.

This initiative was part of a broader strategy to reduce plastic waste, which poses significant environmental hazards due to its persistence in ecosystems and its detrimental impact on wildlife.

The Department of the Interior had taken earlier steps in 2022, restricting plastic straws, bags, and cutlery in national parks and other federally managed spaces.

These measures aligned with global efforts to curb plastic pollution, with many countries adopting similar policies to mitigate environmental damage.

Trump’s rationale and opposition to paper straws

President Trump has long opposed restrictions on plastic straws, frequently ridiculing paper alternatives as impractical.

During his 2020 presidential campaign, he criticized their durability and claimed they ruined the drinking experience.

Announcing his latest executive order, he reiterated his stance, stating, “Biden’s mandate for paper straws is now dead. Enjoy your next drink without a straw that disgustingly dissolves in your mouth!”

His administration argues that the shift to paper straws and other alternatives is unnecessary and inconvenient, dismissing the ban as regulatory overreach.

Industry reactions and environmental concerns

Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony Environmental, echoed Trump’s criticism, arguing that bans on items like plastic straws distract from the broader issue of plastic packaging.

He labeled such measures as “gesture politics” and emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to plastic waste.

“Items made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are immensely useful and have a better life-cycle assessment than alternative packaging materials,” Laurier stated.

However, he acknowledged the need to address the issue of plastic pollution, particularly the problem of microplastics contaminating the environment.

Instead of outright bans, Laurier has urged policymakers to consider innovative plastic waste management solutions.

His company promotes biodegradable plastic technology, which uses a resin called NbR to create products that break down more quickly in the open environment.

“The answer is to make these items with Symphony’s NbR resin instead of ordinary PE and PP,” he explained.

“These products will contain 20% less fossil-derived material and biodegrade more efficiently when exposed to natural elements.”

Laurier has reached out to President Trump, advocating for the continued use of plastics based on their lower carbon footprint compared to alternative materials.

He also noted that while past U.S. administrations had been reluctant to engage with biodegradable plastic technology, countries like Saudi Arabia have adopted legislation supporting it.

“The US ASTM organization has already established a global standard ensuring these products are biodegradable and non-toxic,” Laurier said.

“We hope the new administration will consider this scientific approach instead of politically motivated bans.”

President Trump is expected to sign the executive order in the coming days, officially reversing Biden’s single-use plastic reduction policy.

While industry advocates and businesses reliant on plastic products are likely to welcome the decision, environmental groups have warned that it could set back efforts to tackle plastic pollution on a national scale.

As the debate over sustainable packaging continues, the question remains whether the U.S. will pursue more innovative solutions to plastic waste or revert to traditional materials despite growing environmental concerns.

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