The US government will now buy only plastic straws, or paper straws that act like plastic

The US government is changing its purchasing rules to ensure all straws bought by federal agencies are durable. This means agencies will either buy plastic straws or paper straws that are as strong as plastic ones.

For years, federal agencies have been trying to reduce plastic waste. This new rule reverses that trend for straws. It means the government is prioritizing user experience and durability over environmental goals for this specific product.