Donald Trump signs new executive order banning paper straws because they 'don't work' Donald Trump has banned paper straws from US government buildings - and has claimed a shift back towards plastic won't affect sea life.
Alongside single-use plastic food and beverage containers, plastic straws have been blamed by scientists for polluting oceans and destroying marine life - but Trump said that he thinks “it’s OK” to keep using them.
Christy Leavitt, plastics campaign director for the environmental group Oceana, said Trump’s order is "more about messaging than finding solutions" and pointed out that most US voters support requiring companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging and foodware.
As he signed an executive order to reverse federal purchasing policies that encourage paper straws and restrict plastic ones, Trump said: "It’s a ridiculous situation.
Figures show that around the world, the equivalent of one rubbish truck of plastic enters the ocean every minute from a range of sources, including plastic bags, toothbrushes, bottles and food packaging.
