Trump has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to revert to previous standards for light bulbs, as well as toilets, showers and other appliances that consume water. During his first term, Trump gutted long-standing water efficiency EPA rules, which were then brought back by the Biden administration. The changes came after Trump in 2019 claimed Americans were having to flush their toilets “10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once” and complaints by Trump that shower heads didn’t have enough pressure. Trump has also issued an executive order banning the federal use of paper straws, saying they “don’t work” and that he wants his government to exclusively use plastic.

The transition back to plastic straws has drawn alarm from ocean conservationists worldwide. Researchers estimate some 15 million tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans each year. This is Komang Sudiarta, founder of an anti-litter group in Bali, Indonesia.

Komang Sudiarta: “I’m very disappointed. An advanced country should be able to give a good example. They should be able to limit trash production. But if they’re back to using plastic straws, they’re going backwards. The impact is, in countries like ours, we’ll have to double down on how to reduce our own trash, especially these plastic straws.”