US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning the use of paper straws at federal agencies. He criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for promoting the use of paper straws instead of plastic ones.

Last week, Trump said in a social media post, "I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don't work. BACK TO PLASTIC!"

On Monday, Trump signed that order. It directs federal agencies to stop buying paper straws and ensure that paper straws are no longer provided within agency buildings.

In signing the order, he said paper straws break, "don't last very long," and added, "It's a ridiculous situation. So we're going back to plastic straws."

A move to replace plastic straws with paper ones has gained momentum over the past several years in US local governments and eating establishments in an effort to prevent ocean pollution.

The Biden administration also promoted a policy aimed at phasing out federal purchases of single-use plastics, including straws, from federal operations.