Trump signs executive order against paper straws after saying they ‘don’t work’

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to review federal purchasing policies that restrict plastic straws. 

Trump is moving to reverse the federal push away from plastic straws, declaring that paper straws "don’t work" and don't last very long.

"We're going back to plastic straws. These things don't work. I've had them many times. On occasion, they break, they explode," Trump said Monday as he signed the executive order. 

He added: "It’s a ridiculous situation." 

Oceana, a nonprofit ocean conservation organization, criticized President Trump’s executive order on plastics, calling it a step in the wrong direction for the environment, public health, and coastal economies.

Oceana U.S. Plastics Campaign Director Christy Leavitt issued a statement in response, warning of the broader consequences of plastic pollution.

"President Trump is headed in the wrong direction on single-use plastics. The President’s executive order on plastics spells trouble for our oceans, health, and communities. Plastic is everywhere. It’s choking our oceans, sitting at the deepest point of the seafloor, and raining in our national parks. Plastic is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even inside our bodies. U.S. beaches and waters overflowing with plastics is also bad for businesses and coastal economies that rely on tourism. Instead of doing what is necessary to protect Americans from harmful plastic pollution, President Trump is announcing executive orders that are more about messaging than finding solutions. President Trump should be making the U.S. a global leader in addressing the plastics crisis at the source by reducing the production and use of single-use plastics and moving to reuse and refill systems," Leavitt said.

Move on plastic straws targets Biden administration policy

What we know:

The move by Trump — who has long railed against paper straws, and whose 2019 reelection campaign sold Trump-branded reusable plastic straws for $15 per pack of 10 — targets a Biden administration policy to phase out federal purchases of single-use plastics, including straws, from food service operations, events and packaging by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035.

Last week, Trump said he would put an end to what he calls a "ridiculous push" for paper straws.

FILE: Paper straws (Credit: Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

"I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don't work," Trump posted on social media Friday. "BACK TO PLASTIC!"

RELATED: Paper straws: The arguments for and against

Several states have bans or restrictions in place on single-use plastic straws, including California, Colorado, New York, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, Rhode Island and Washington. It’s unclear whether an executive order would have any effect on those state laws.