Burgum ends Biden effort to curb plastic waste in parks

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has reversed a Biden-era move to phase out single use plastics in national parks and other public lands.

The move follows President Donald Trump’s executive order signed earlier this year that specifically targeted initiatives to use paper straws instead of plastic ones.

The Interior Department under Biden administration began an effort to crack down on plastic products that are designed to be thrown away after one use — items like utensils, bags and plastic water bottles.

Burgum’s order, signed May 20, said efforts to phase out single-use plastics created “logistical and operational challenges” on public lands.