Ending Procurement and Forced Use of Paper Straws
February 10, 2025
Action Summary
- Policy Objective: End the governmental procurement and mandated use of paper straws due to their non-functionality, chemical risks, higher production costs, and counterproductive environmental and usage impacts.
- Critique of Paper Straws: Highlighted issues include poor performance compared to plastic straws, potential health risks from chemicals, increased cost, and the irony of additional plastic waste from individual wrapping.
- Federal Procurement Directives:
- Agencies are instructed to cease purchasing and providing paper straws within federal buildings.
- Removal of policies that disfavor plastic straws, reversing prior initiatives (specifically Executive Order 14057, revoked on January 20, 2025).
- National Strategy Development: The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, in coordination with relevant agencies, must issue a National Strategy within 45 days. This strategy is to:
- Eliminate internal policies against plastic straws;
- Address contract policies and terms with states and entities that penalize plastic straw use;
- Utilize all available tools to implement the paper straw elimination policy nationwide.
- General Provisions:
- The order does not impact existing legal authorities or affect budgetary and legislative processes.
- Implementation will conform to existing laws and the availability of appropriations.
- No party may claim any right or benefit enforceable against the United States or its agencies based on this order.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order to end the procurement and use of paper straws may impact sustainability initiatives at Vanderbilt University, particularly if the institution has adopted similar policies in line with previous federal sustainability efforts.
- There is a potential risk of reputational impact if the university’s environmental policies are perceived as misaligned with federal directives, especially if stakeholders prioritize environmental sustainability.
- The order may influence the university’s procurement policies, requiring a reassessment of current contracts and supplier agreements related to sustainable products.
- Vanderbilt may need to evaluate its waste management and recycling programs to ensure compliance with any new federal guidelines that emerge from the National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) may need to review and potentially adjust its sustainability strategies and initiatives to align with the new federal policy.
- The Office of Procurement and Disbursement Services might need to revise procurement guidelines and contracts to comply with the federal directive against paper straws.
- Campus Dining Services could be directly affected, as they may need to alter their current practices regarding the use of straws and other single-use items.
Financial Impact
- The shift away from paper straws could result in cost savings if plastic straws are less expensive, but it may also require initial investments to change procurement processes and supplier contracts.
- There may be financial implications related to potential changes in waste management practices and the need for new recycling or disposal systems.
- Vanderbilt might experience changes in funding opportunities related to sustainability initiatives, particularly if federal grants prioritize compliance with the new policy.
Relevance Score: 2 (The order presents minor considerations for the university to address, primarily in sustainability and procurement policies.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office should review the university’s current policies on straw usage to ensure alignment with federal guidelines. This includes evaluating the environmental impact of straw alternatives and considering the potential shift back to plastic straws.
- The Procurement Office should assess current contracts and supplier agreements related to straw purchases. Ensuring compliance with the new federal policy may require renegotiating terms with suppliers to prioritize plastic straws over paper alternatives.
- Vanderbilt’s Legal and Compliance Office should monitor any state-level legislation that may conflict with the federal order to ensure the university remains compliant with both state and federal regulations.
Opportunities
- The executive order provides an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Centers to conduct studies on the environmental and health impacts of different straw materials. This research could position Vanderbilt as a leader in sustainable practices and influence future policy decisions.
- Vanderbilt’s Business School could explore the economic implications of the shift in straw policies, offering insights into cost management and supply chain adjustments for businesses affected by the change.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with the new federal policy on straw usage.)
Timeline for Implementation
- 45 days from February 10, 2025 – The National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws must be issued within 45 days of the order.
Relevance Score: 4
Impacted Government Organizations
- Executive Departments and Agencies: All executive departments and agencies are directed to cease the procurement and distribution of paper straws within their buildings, meaning this order applies broadly across the federal government.
- Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy: This office is tasked with coordinating a National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws, working in collaboration with relevant agencies.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): While not directly altering its functions, the OMB is referenced to maintain its role in budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals, ensuring the order does not impair its authority.
Relevance Score: 5 (The directive applies broadly across the entire federal executive branch, impacting numerous agencies and policy coordination offices.)
Responsible Officials
- Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies – Tasked with eliminating the procurement of paper straws and discontinuing policies that disfavor plastic straws within agency buildings.
- Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy – Responsible for coordinating with relevant agencies to issue a National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws within 45 days.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect both high-level agency heads and a senior White House official, impacting national-level policy implementation.)