Trump okays $782 million loan to sustainable jet fuel plant in Montana

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Former President Donald Trump has reignited the debate over plastic straws by signing an executive order reversing a Biden-era phaseout of single-use plastic straws in federal buildings
• Environmental advocates argue that most people don’t need straws and should avoid them to reduce plastic waste and microplastic exposure
• However, some groups, such as people with disabilities, rely on them for essential use

🔭 The context: The movement to eliminate plastic straws gained traction after a viral 2015 video of a sea turtle with a straw lodged in its nostril
• Many businesses have since switched to paper straws, which often disintegrate, or adopted strawless lids
• Despite these efforts, over 415,000 plastic straws and stirrers were collected during the 2023 International Coastal Cleanup

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Plastic straws contribute to pollution and the growing microplastics crisis, which has led to plastic particles being found in human organs, including the brain
• Environmentalists warn that replacing plastic straws with other disposable alternatives does not solve the larger issue of single-use waste
• Reducing unnecessary plastic consumption is seen as a crucial step in tackling the broader plastic pollution crisis

⏭️ What's next: The executive order has been praised by conservative groups and the plastic industry but is likely to face pushback from environmental advocates
• Experts continue to encourage reusable alternatives, such as metal straws, while acknowledging that plastic straws remain necessary for some individuals
• The debate highlights broader concerns over America’s "throwaway society" and sustainable consumption habits

💬 One quote: “Plastic straws are kind of seen as the tip of the iceberg. We really don’t want to replace one single-use problem with another.” — Anja Brandon, Ocean Conservancy

📈 One stat: In 2023, over 415,000 plastic straws and stirrers were collected during the International Coastal Cleanup

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