Plastic Straw Manufacturers Rejoice Over ‘Most Joyful Days’ Following Trump Order | US News
It’s difficult to picture anyone reveling in Donald Trump’s announcement regarding plastic straws more than Ross Boyajian, the president of a straw manufacturing company based in Glendale, California.
Mr. Boyajian, an Armenian-American, has been at the helm of Diamond Straws since 1995. His factory produces over 800 straws every minute, catering to major cafes and restaurants across the United States, including Peet’s Coffee and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.
Ross Boyajian, the president of plastic straw company Diamond Straws
Currently, Diamond Straws employs 15 individuals but is expecting a surge in demand following President Trump’s executive order stating that the US is “returning to plastic straws” and moving away from paper alternatives.
“Hearing him say that was one of the best days for us,” Mr. Boyajian remarked. “Our entire business transformed. Until that point, everyone was worried about ‘what are you doing in this industry, you’re going to be out of business because nobody is buying plastic straws’. So thank you, Trump.”
The production of plastic straws at the Glendale factory
In the factory, cardboard boxes proudly labeled “made in USA” are piled high. It stands as one of the few remaining facilities in the country still producing plastic straws after much of the industry has shifted to manufacturing overseas in China.
Boxes inscribed with the words Made in USA in Ross Boyajian’s factory
Mr. Trump has consistently criticized paper straws. His 2019 reelection campaign even featured Trump-branded reusable plastic straws. His recent executive order will overturn a Biden administration directive aimed at phasing out government purchases of plastic straws, cutlery, and packaging by 2027.
President Trump signing an executive order declaring that the US is ‘going back to plastic straws’
Environmental advocates have long expressed concerns over plastic straws; however, they emphasize that the issue is part of a larger problem involving plastics.
Dianna Cohen, co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, is engaged in efforts to educate the public about the implications of plastic on both the environment and human health.
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Plastic collected from the ocean in Los Angeles
“The concern lies not just with straws, but rather with single-use plastics overall,” she asserts. “We must significantly reduce our reliance on such materials. The use of plastic for consuming our food and beverages poses risks to both our health and that of future generations.”
“Plastic is a contaminant affecting all of us and our bodies,” she continues.
“Its use has been linked to various health issues, including fertility problems. Microplastics have been detected in the brains, testicles, and placentas of individuals,” she adds.
