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US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order banning federal agencies from purchasing environmentally friendly paper straws and requiring them to purchase only plastic ones, the Associated Press (AP) reports.
“This is a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws,” Trump said, signing an executive order that requires government agencies to “ensure that paper straws are no longer offered in government buildings.” According to Trump, paper straws have too short a lifespan.
As the AP notes, former US President Joe Biden pursued a policy of protecting nature, and part of these efforts was a decree on a gradual ban on single-use plastics, in particular plastic straws. It was planned that within the next few years, single-use plastics would cease to be used as dishes, packaging, etc. Including in the private sector.
However, since the 2019 election campaign, when he was running against Biden, Trump has strongly opposed the switch to paper straws and even launched reusable plastic straws under his own brand - at a price of $15 for a pack of 10.
As the AP notes, plastic, including plastic straws, is one of the culprits in polluting the oceans and harming marine life. However, Trump is convinced otherwise.
“I don’t think plastic will have much of an impact on sharks when they’re eating, when they’re gnawing their way through the ocean,” he said.
Other scandalous Trump decrees
As I wrote, the US, by order of Trump, officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Although the name Gulf of Mexico had been used since the beginning of the 16th century, that is, practically “immediately” after the discovery of America.
Trump also wants to repeal a rule that explicitly prohibits American citizens from bribing local officials in other countries. Trump believes that such a ban hinders American business.
