UMKC students are not a fan of President Trump’s recent executive order to ban the use of paper straws and other single-use plastics.
The decision rolls back a Biden-Harris administration policy from July 2024 that would have phased out these plastics from all federal operations by 2035.
Their proposed outline for how to reach this goal was the first time that the federal government formally acknowledged and responded to the plastic pollution crisis. The government would have swapped to using completely reusable, compostable, and highly recyclable products, and encouraged local and state governments to do the same.
President Trump said his top priority is to create an environment for America that has the cleanest air and water, but that the “irrational” campaign against plastic straws in America from activists who prioritize symbolism over science has to end.
Students were unaware of this executive order, but all said they felt it was not what they wanted to see from President Trump.
“I’m not going to lie, I don’t like paper straws, but I think out of everything it’s like ‘ok, you wanna go for that?” said senior biology major Salma Benshari. “There’s a lot of things [I wish he would do instead], but, I don’t think he will be going for any of my personal values anyway.”
Most students noted that they don’t see paper straws much in their daily lives, so President Trump’s executive order would not affect them much.
Sophomore biochemistry major Harley Lankare said she would rather drink from a cup than use a paper straw. However, she still feels they should not be banned altogether because they can help the environment by reducing plastic waste.
Instead of this executive order, Lankare said she’d rather him work towards reducing the unhoused population, reducing inflation and cutting off unnecessary spending in the government.
“There are so many other things that he could use executive orders for,” said senior engineering major Matthew Taylor. “There were recently many national park rangers and workers fired because of government issues. We should focus on protecting forests and our environment a little more [in this regard.] They’re degrading because we are expanding so much.”
lamg7c@umsystem.edu
