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.

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

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.