this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2025
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Trump’s attack on paper straws is mostly symbolic — but the plastics industry is celebrating (grist.org)
submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
34 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to end the federal procurement of paper straws. 

The order, which claims that paper straws are “nonfunctional” and says it wants to end the “forced use” of them, immediately undoes part of a Biden-era initiative to eliminate single-use plastics, including straws, in all government operations by 2035. More broadly, Trump instructed White House staff and “relevant agencies” to issue a “national strategy to end the use of paper straws” within 45 days. The strategy would aim to eliminate all executive branch policies “designed to disfavor plastic straws” and address the federal government’s contracts with states and and other entities “that ban or penalize plastic straw purchase or use.”

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[–] zeppo 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)

This seemed pointless and petty, but of course. It’s a handout to the plastic industry. Complete with the usual Trump exaggeration bullshit, saying that paper straws instantly disintegrate.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I honestly dont really like paper straws, I never got why metal or wood (ie. reusable) straws aren’t more common.

Not that I even need straws for most things. Most straws given out are mostly unnecessary.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Bamboo straws are a thing IIRC. One problem I have with metal straws is that they apparently can impale your skull, so drinking with a metal straw while walking might not be the best idea. I also discovered last summer that you can use chives as straws since they're hollow inside, but that affects the taste of course.

But yeah, in most situations straws are really unneccessary and a waste of material.

[–] idiomaddict 3 points 2 days ago

Tbh, I don’t think your soft palate would be much protection against a fall onto a bamboo straw, either.

[–] zeppo 2 points 2 days ago

There are various alternatives such as wheat, sugarcane, water grass or rice.

[–] tehWrapper 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Got to be careful with bamboo stuff.. it grows very quickly and it is very renewable, but they grow it most in areas of clear cut rain forest from what I understand.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's almost as if there is no ethical consumption under capitalism... 🤔

[–] tehWrapper 3 points 2 days ago

Agreed 👍

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

It's kind of funny that we literally grow straws and just don't use them. Wheat straw is a biodegradable alternative that doesn't disintegrate and is often just left in the field after harvest. It might not work for thicker beverages like milkshakes or smoothies, but works great for everything else.

Loblaws (Canadian grocery overlords) sells some.