A viral turtle video sparked a global movement and inspired millions to join the fight against plastic waste. View on euronews

The bioplastics company, with an office in Shelton, collaborated with a UConn marine sciences team to evaluate the product’s biodegradation in marine ecosystems. The study was led by Hannah Collins, a marine sciences Ph.D. candidate, and her co-author, Larissa Tabb. Ward helped oversee the study as Collins’ graduate advisor.

Straws might seem insignificant, but the plastic straw has come to symbolize a global pollution crisis over the past decade.

US President Donald Trump reversed a target set by his predecessor Joe Biden to eliminate plastic straws across government agencies by 2035, rejecting claims that they are harmful to sharks. But scientists say there is well-documented evidence that pollution from these single-use items impacts sharks and all marine animals.

Environmental groups argue that plastic straws harm marine life and take hundreds of years to decompose. Some Massachusetts communities have implemented restrictions on plastic straws, while others encourage reusable alternatives.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is moving to reverse a federal push away from plastic straws, declaring that paper straws “don’t work” and don’t last very long.

President Donald Trump in a new executive order inked on Monday encouraged the U.S. government and consumers to purchase plastic drinking straws at a time when several countries have issued a ban on non-biodegradable single-use plastics.

Trump said he thinks it’s OK to continue using plastic straws, although they’ve have been blamed for polluting oceans and harming marine life.