Trump Pulls Plug on U.S. Paper Recycling and Packaging Campaign. ☹

Environmental advocates say the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Donald Trump administration to terminate the national paper-packaging promotion program sends the wrong message at a time when the world is struggling with plastic pollution. The initiative, launched in 2014, supported research and education encouraging businesses to shift toward recyclable and renewable paper-based packaging rather than petroleum-based plastics. While officials say the program ended after an industry referendum failed to support it, critics argue the administration showed little interest in protecting or strengthening sustainability programs that help move markets away from plastic waste. Environmental groups warn that dismantling initiatives promoting renewable materials could slow progress toward a circular economy and leave consumers and companies with fewer incentives to adopt greener packaging solutions.