McDonald’s bosses are to save nearly 500 tonnes of plastic waste

McDonald’s bosses are to save nearly 500 tonnes of plastic waste by re-designing packaging for salads and desserts

  • Nearly 500 tons of plastic waste will be saved with new packaging designs
  • McFlurry lids and salad packaging to be replaced with designs using less plastic
  • Just in the UK, the two measures will cut plastic waste by 485 tons a year 

Nearly 500 tons of plastic waste will be saved with new packaging designs for salads and desserts sold by McDonald’s.

The fast food giant is replacing plastic salad bowls with cardboard boxes while plastic lids for McFlurry treats will go in favour of a rigid paper-based design from September. Just in the UK, the two measures will cut plastic waste by 485 tons a year.

The salad boxes are made from ‘carton board’ containing 50 per cent recycled content and 50 per cent new material from certified sustainable sources. The changes are part of a vow to source all packaging from renewable or recycled sources by 2025.

Plastic lids for McFlurry treats will go in favour of a rigid paper-based design from September

They follow a decision last year to replace 8 billion plastic straws used annually by McDonald’s UK customers with paper options.

The chain also unveiled new healthy options for its summer menu including chicken salad and Cajun chicken wraps. Beth Hart, of McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said: ‘We are committed to listening to our customers and finding solutions that work for them. This is the latest example but by no means the end.’

Yesterday the Mail, which has been campaigning against plastic waste for more than a decade, revealed Boots is to drop plastic bags in favour of paper.

Other retailers are also acting. Aldi is extending a trial removing plastic from five fresh produce lines from Scotland into England next month. Waitrose will save 14 tons of plastic a year with compostable punnets for Duchy Organic soft fruit.

Nearly 500 tons of plastic waste will be saved with new packaging designs for salads and desserts sold by McDonald’s 

 

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