U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order promoting the use of plastic drinking straws, reversing policies aimed at reducing single-use plastics. The move comes as several countries enforce bans on non-biodegradable plastics.
The new order, signed on Monday, encourages federal agencies and consumers to purchase plastic straws, undoing a Biden-era initiative to phase out all single-use plastics on federal lands by 2032.
Trump’s policy shift contradicts a global trend of plastic bans, following the United Nations' 2018 call for a worldwide cleanup of plastic pollution. Multiple countries have since restricted or banned single-use plastics, citing environmental damage and food contamination risks.
Among the nations enforcing bans:
Nigeria (2024) – Nationwide ban expanded from government offices.
India (2022) – Prohibited plastic straws, cups, and cigarette packs.
France (2021) – Banned plastic straws, cups, and cutlery.
England (2020) – Banned plastic straws and stirrers.
Kenya (2020) – Extended restrictions to include plastic straws.
China (2020) – Announced a phased ban on single-use plastics.
Several U.S. cities, including Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York, had already introduced restrictions on plastic straws before the federal reversal.
Environmental advocates warn that Trump's policy may increase plastic waste, while supporters argue it protects consumer choice and business interests.
Hamas has formally requested the UK Home Office to revoke its designation as a “banned organization” in the UK.
Britain’s Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine this week, meeting victims of the war and spotlighting support for wounded veterans in Lviv, his spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.
A decades-old water treaty is stirring new tensions between Washington and Mexico, and President Donald Trump is turning up the pressure.
After years of silence on the issue, U.S. lawmakers on Thursday reopened the debate over whether Americans should stop changing their clocks twice a year.
South Korea has formally established diplomatic relations with Syria, closing a decades-long gap and opening a new chapter in its global diplomacy.
Hamas has formally requested the UK Home Office to revoke its designation as a “banned organization” in the UK.
The Trump administration has significantly increased efforts to cancel the visas and residency permits of international students, with hundreds of student visas revoked in recent weeks, according to an analysis published by Inside Higher Ed.
Britain’s Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine this week, meeting victims of the war and spotlighting support for wounded veterans in Lviv, his spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.
A decades-old water treaty is stirring new tensions between Washington and Mexico, and President Donald Trump is turning up the pressure.
After years of silence on the issue, U.S. lawmakers on Thursday reopened the debate over whether Americans should stop changing their clocks twice a year.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The UAE has welcomed a new agreement between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to form a shared border point and sign the Khujand Declaration, expressing hope it will boost peace, cooperation, and development in Central Asia.
The death toll from the catastrophic roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo has risen to 98, with more than 160 people injured, according to Dominican authorities.
The European Commission is challenging Italy's use of "golden powers" in the banking sector, raising concerns over potential breaches of EU law and prompting a broader debate on investment screening rules across the bloc.
The European Union will begin imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products next week in response to President Donald Trump's sweeping trade measures, joining other global powers in escalating a trade conflict.
The Trump administration has significantly increased efforts to cancel the visas and residency permits of international students, with hundreds of student visas revoked in recent weeks, according to an analysis published by Inside Higher Ed.
Britain’s Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine this week, meeting victims of the war and spotlighting support for wounded veterans in Lviv, his spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.
A decades-old water treaty is stirring new tensions between Washington and Mexico, and President Donald Trump is turning up the pressure.
After years of silence on the issue, U.S. lawmakers on Thursday reopened the debate over whether Americans should stop changing their clocks twice a year.
South Korea has formally established diplomatic relations with Syria, closing a decades-long gap and opening a new chapter in its global diplomacy.
Hamas has formally requested the UK Home Office to revoke its designation as a “banned organization” in the UK.
The Trump administration has significantly increased efforts to cancel the visas and residency permits of international students, with hundreds of student visas revoked in recent weeks, according to an analysis published by Inside Higher Ed.
Britain’s Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine this week, meeting victims of the war and spotlighting support for wounded veterans in Lviv, his spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.
A decades-old water treaty is stirring new tensions between Washington and Mexico, and President Donald Trump is turning up the pressure.
After years of silence on the issue, U.S. lawmakers on Thursday reopened the debate over whether Americans should stop changing their clocks twice a year.
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