President Donald Trump has taken aim at the use of paper straws with an executive order banning the purchase of paper straws for use in federal buildings.

  • Included in the order is a “National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws” with the goal of ending the “forced use” of paper straws nationwide within 45 days.


The administration claims that the banning of paper straws in some cities is the work of “woke activists” who “prioritize symbolism over science.” The White House Fact Sheet concerning the order also cites problematic aspects of paper straws, including the possible containment of PFAS, or “forever chemicals” (plastic products have also been proven to contain PFAS).


“There are drawbacks to paper straws, including the ones highlighted in the fact sheet,” says Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility. “Their PFAS content is a concern (ditto for their plastic alternatives), as is the destruction of forests to create them if they aren’t being managed responsibly. If this encourages a reduction in resource use in both paper and petroleum extraction, President Trump could advocate for reusable straws made of recyclable materials such as metal.”

Promo Perspective

The drinkware sector of promotional products has grown in recent years, largely due to the push for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic bottles. Many PPAI 100 suppliers, such as Hit Promotional Products, PCNA, HPG, Gemline and Logomark, include reusable straws in their product offerings, typically made with materials other than paper.

  • One supplier told PPAI Media that with no indication of what the “National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws” will actually entail, they can’t comment on the immediate confusion caused by the executive order.
Fortunately, many PPAI member companies offer straws made of alternative materials other than paper and plastic.”

Elizabeth Wimbush

Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, PPAI

“Fortunately, many PPAI member companies offer straws made of alternative materials other than paper and plastic,” Wimbush says. “If paper straws prove to be less available, this could serve as an opportunity for promo firms to reach out to and appeal to brands and end users that want to avoid single-use plastic at all costs.”

Perhaps the most common alternative to plastic or paper for straws is stainless steel, which is popular as an aesthetic and a practical pairing with tumblers and water bottles. However, another recent executive order by Trump could prove to make stainless steel straws more difficult to produce, as a 25% tariff has been placed on imported steel from all foreign countries.