US President Donald Trump reversed a target set by his predecessor Joe Biden to eliminate plastic straws across government agencies by 2035, rejecting claims that they are harmful to sharks. But scientists say there is well-documented evidence that pollution from these single-use items impacts sharks and all marine animals.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order reversing an effort by his predecessor, Joe Biden, to phase out the use of plastic straws within the federal government and replace them with paper products,

Trump’s executive order claims that paper straws use chemicals that may carry risks to human health are more expensive to produce than plastic straws. Researchers from the University of Antwerp found forever chemicals known as PFAS to be present in paper, bamboo, glass and plastic straws, but not stainless steel ones, according to a 2023 study.