Donald Trump Goes to War Against Universally Hated Paper Straws
Plastic straw partisans are now on the offensive in the straw wars.
Monday evening, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to halt their purchases of paper straws and ordering the creation of a nationwide strategy to end their use.
“An irrational campaign against plastic straws has resulted in major cities, States, and businesses banning the use or automatic inclusion of plastic straws with beverages,” reads the White House order.
Those plastic straws were replaced with paper straws that the White House order says are “nonfunctional, use chemicals that may carry risks to human health, are more expensive to produce than plastic straws, and often force users to use multiple straws.”
Anti–plastic straw policies started appearing in the early 2010s and really took off toward the end of the decade when large blue cities and a few states either banned their distribution or restricted their use in restaurants, bars, and other public settings.
These policies were a direct descendant of cities’ and states’ plastic bag bans and taxes. They were spurred along in the public imagination by the viral statistic (originally debunked by Reason) that Americans use 500 million plastic straws a day.
That figure was a rough guesstimate produced by then-9-year-old Milo Cress. More precise industry estimates put Americans’ daily plastic straw use at around 170 million to 330 million.
Even Cress’ top-end estimate
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
