US President Donald Trump has once again brought plastic straws into the spotlight. In a move that dismisses environmental concerns, he has signed an executive order to bring back plastic straws in federal agencies. This decision reverses Biden’s policy on single-use plastics and eliminates paper straws from government buildings.

While signing the order, Trump told reporters, "We're going back to plastic straws." He argued that paper straws are ineffective, saying, "These things don't work. I've had them many times, and on occasion, they break, they explode. If something's hot, they don't last very long, like a matter of minutes, sometimes a matter of seconds. It's a ridiculous situation." Federal agencies are now instructed to stop purchasing paper straws immediately.

What impact can plastic have on sharks and the marine life?

While Trump has claimed that plastic straws "won't affect a shark", scientific evidence tells a different story. Each year, 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced worldwide, but only 9% gets recycled, according to Earth.org. The rest ends up in landfills, oceans, and other natural environments. Single-use plastics, such as straws, contribute significantly to environmental degradation.

Contrary to Trump’s statement, plastic waste has a devastating impact on marine ecosystems. The World Wildlife Fund reports that 100,000 marine animals die annually due to consumption of plastic or entanglement. Single-use plastics break down into microplastics, which contaminate water bodies and enter the food chain, affecting various marine species.

Microplastics in food and human health

Studies have found microplastics in seafood, bottled water, human organs, and even the air we breathe. Research sampling 182 seafood species found that 180 contained microplastics, including common fish such as salmon, rockfish, and herring. These particles, less than 5mm in size, stem from the breakdown of larger plastics. The National Institutes Of Health warn that ingesting microplastics may lead to endocrine disruption and potential cancer risks.

Trump’s stance has fueled controversy. While his administration argues that paper straws are ineffective and inconvenient, environmentalists stress the need to curb plastic pollution. The US plastic industry alone produces 232 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually, matching the output of 116 coal-fired power plants. This highlights the broader climate impact of plastic production.

Trump’s order to reintroduce plastic straws has ignited a national conversation on sustainability. As the debate between convenience and environmental responsibility continues, experts warn that failing to address plastic pollution could have long-term consequences for marine life and human health.