US government reverses national parks phase-out of single-use plastics

The US Department of the Interior has withdrawn a previous policy that aimed to eliminate single-use plastics across national parks and other public lands by 2032. The move follows a new order signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, aligning with recent directives from President Donald Trump’s administration.

The decision formally revokes a 2022 initiative introduced during the Biden administration, which had sought to reduce the sale, procurement, and distribution of single-use plastic items such as bottles, cutlery, polystyrene containers, and plastic bags across federal lands. The original policy was part of a broader environmental strategy to minimise plastic pollution in protected areas.

In a statement, the Interior Department said the policy change supports President Trump’s executive order from February, which aims to halt the federal purchase of paper straws. The department cited flexibility, science-based decision-making, and fiscal prudence as reasons for the shift in approach. A national strategy outlining plans to move away from paper straws was published by the White House in March.

The policy reversal has drawn criticism from environmental groups, who argue that reintroducing plastic products undermines progress toward reducing plastic waste in public spaces.

Statement by Sarah Gaines Barmeyer, Deputy Vice President, Conservation Programs for the National Parks Conservation Association

“Eliminating single-use plastics in our national parks is a win-win for all and NPCA has worked toward this goal for years. Plastic pollution kills countless birds and wildlife, diminishes our water quality and shows up in our oceans and the food we eat. These plastics never dissolve and will outlive us all, impacting our health, our environment and our parks.

“Plastic pollution has plagued our national parks for years. With park visitation at an all-time high, and the Park Service under constant attack from this administration with cuts to their funding and staffing, it is even more challenging for park managers to deal with more waste.

“Phasing out of single-use plastics will protect the very resources and wildlife we all seek to enjoy. Not only does it save money in the long term and park staff time, it greatly improves the visitor experience as shown by a recent NPCA poll. NPCA has long supported the elimination of hard-to-recycle items and single-use plastics in our parks, leading efforts with many partners to encourage and educate good stewardship from park visitors and surrounding communities.

“Some concessioners at parks like Yosemite have eliminated the use of single-use plastics already – it can be done. The lessons we learn from our parks can serve as best practices and be leveraged to reduce plastic pollution more broadly. How we treat our most beloved national parks says a lot about who we are as a nation. NPCA will continue to fight to keep single-use plastics out of our parks.”