Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws
Executive Order 14208, issued by President Donald J. Trump and signed February 10, 2025, declares a policy to end the use of paper straws and directs the federal government to stop procuring them or providing them in agency buildings. It also revokes prior policies that disfavored plastic straws (specifically revoking aspects of EO 14057) and requires the development of a National Strategy within 45 days to eliminate all remaining policies that discourage plastic straws, address contract policies with states or entities that penalize plastic straw use, and identify other tools to achieve this policy nationwide. The order emphasizes that it is consistent with existing law and appropriations and does not create new rights or entitlements. In short, the order shifts federal policy away from paper straws toward promoting plastic straws (or alternatives) in federal facilities, while creating a concrete plan to oppose any remaining restrictions on plastic straws across federal operations and contracts.
Key Points
- 1Policy declaration: The federal government will end the use of paper straws and stop providing them in agency buildings, contending that paper straws are nonfunctional, more costly, and sometimes environmentally questionable compared to plastic straws.
- 2Procurement action: Heads of executive departments and agencies must take all appropriate steps to eliminate the procurement of paper straws and ensure they are no longer available in agency buildings.
- 3Reversal of prior policy: Agencies must take action to eliminate policies that disfavor plastic straws, including revoking those aspects of Executive Order 14057 (which the President revoked separately).
- 4National Strategy deadline: Within 45 days, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, in coordination with relevant agencies, must issue a National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws. This strategy must address (i) removing all policies within the executive branch that disfavor plastic straws, (ii) contract policies with entities or states that ban or penalize plastic straw use, and (iii) all other tools available to meet the nationwide goal.
- 5General provisions: The order does not alter the authority of agencies, nor the Director of the Office of Management and Budget’s budgetary or administrative functions. It is to be implemented in accordance with applicable law and available funding, and it does not grant enforceable rights or create legal claims.