Omar Khalid
In 2017, McDonald's replaced its 32oz plastic cups with styrofoam cups, which sparked controversy and led to petitions for the company to bring back its old cups. While some customers speculated that the switch was a cost-saving measure, others raised concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts of styrofoam. In 2020, McDonald's announced its commitment to sustainability by introducing reusable cups and recycling initiatives in the UK. The company also began testing clear plastic cups made from recycled and bio-based materials, including used cooking oil, with the goal of achieving 100% renewable, recycled, or certified packaging by 2025. These cups, developed in partnership with INEOS, utilize advanced recycling to convert waste plastic into raw materials for next-generation production. While some regions primarily use plastic cups, others have reported a mix of plastic and paper-based cups, with varying recyclability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic cups | McDonald's uses plastic cups for soda and orange juice in some regions. |
| Recyclable cups | In 2022, McDonald's began testing recyclable cups made from a 50-50 mix of recycled and bio-based materials in select restaurants in Savannah, Georgia. |
| Reusable cups | In 2020, McDonald's announced a scheme in the UK where customers could opt to buy hot drinks in reusable cups, which they could then return for reuse. |
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What You'll Learn
McDonald's tests circular clear cups
McDonald's is testing a new type of circular clear drinking cup. The cup is made from a mix of 50% recycled plastic and 50% biopolymer resins, including reused cooking oil from the restaurant chain. This closed-loop system is a more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based plastics. The new cups are intended to be nearly identical to the cups customers are used to, with the difference lying in the materials used to make them.
The test is part of McDonald's' goal to source 100% of its guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025. The company is working with industry leaders such as Pactiv Evergreen, Neste, INEOS, and LyondellBasell to make this test possible. INEOS, a company that specialises in converting waste plastic back into its raw materials, has certified plants that meet ISCC Plus objectives, enabling the development of a wide range of products derived from recycled waste plastics.
The test cups are currently being recycled in Savannah, where customers can rinse and recycle the cup after use at home or in any recycling bin. This test signals to the industry that McDonald's is committed to supporting the production of biobased and recycled materials. The company recognises that plastic packaging can provide the food safety and performance that customers expect, but also believes that plastic pollution is an issue that needs to be addressed.
The new cups are an example of McDonald's' efforts to increase the accessibility of sustainable materials and reduce its environmental impact. By using a mass balance method, McDonald's can measure and track recycled and biobased inputs, even when mixed with traditional fossil-fuel sources. This process is certified by ISCC Plus, an independent multi-stakeholder organisation providing a globally applicable certification system for the sustainability of raw materials and products.
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The cups are sourced from recycled and bio-based materials
McDonald's has been testing circular clear cups sourced from recycled and bio-based materials. The test cups are made from a 50-50 mix of post-consumer recycled plastic and bio-based materials. The bio-based material is crafted in part from McDonald's used cooking oil. This initiative is in line with McDonald's goal of sourcing 100% of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025.
The company is using a mass balance method to measure and track recycled and bio-based inputs, even as it continues to use traditional fossil fuel sources in its cups. This process, certified by ISCC Plus, allows the measurement and tracking of recycled inputs that are combined with traditional fossil-fuel sources. The certification also enables the development and offering of a wide range of products derived from recycled waste plastics.
The test cups are a part of McDonald's transition to more sustainable materials and its efforts to address the global issue of single-use food packaging waste. The company is also working to reduce plastic in Happy Meal toys and other unnecessary plastic packaging, such as straws, plastic bags, and cutlery.
The circular clear cups are recyclable, and McDonald's encourages customers to rinse and recycle the cups after use. The company acknowledges that sustainable sourcing solutions require collaboration across the industry. This test is a joint effort with TMS-HAVI and industry leaders Pactiv Evergreen, Neste, INEOS, and LyondellBasell.
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McDonald's aims to reduce plastic pollution
McDonald's has been working to reduce plastic pollution by testing new types of drinking cups that are more sustainable. These new ""circular" clear cups are sourced from recycled materials, including used cooking oil from the restaurants, and can be recycled to create new material. The cups are identical in appearance to the old cups, but they are made from a 50-50 mix of post-consumer recycled material and bio-based materials. This initiative is part of McDonald's goal to source 100% of guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025.
In addition to testing these new cups, McDonald's has also introduced a reusable cup scheme in the UK, where customers can pay a deposit for their hot drink, which they get back when they return the cup to a special bin. This cup can still be recycled normally, but it loses efficiency if it is not reused multiple times. The company hopes to expand this scheme to other products, such as the McFlurry, and eventually to other restaurants.
McDonald's is also working to increase the accessibility of these new materials nationwide and has engaged with industry leaders to help organize this effort. By encouraging the recycling of plastics and the use of recycled materials, McDonald's aims to contribute to a more circular economy and reduce plastic pollution.
While some customers have noticed the change to plastic cups in their region, others have expressed a desire for McDonald's to bring back styrofoam cups. However, with companies switching to more paper-based products, McDonald's is moving towards more sustainable and recyclable solutions, even if it means using plastic cups in some locations. Overall, McDonald's is taking steps to address plastic pollution and promote a more sustainable future.
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The cups are available in select restaurants in Savannah, Georgia
McDonald's has been testing a new type of drinking cup that moves away from fossil fuel petrochemical sources to a circular economy model. The fast-food giant aims to address the problem of plastic pollution while still meeting customer expectations regarding food safety and performance.
The new cups, referred to as "circular clear cups," are made from a 50-50 mix of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and bio-based materials. The recycled content comes from post-consumer plastic material, while the bio-based materials include McDonald's used cooking oil, creating a closed-loop circular system.
These cups are currently available in select McDonald's restaurants in Savannah, Georgia, for customers to try out. The company chose these locations to test the cups' performance and collect feedback from customers and staff. The test is part of McDonald's broader initiative to increase the accessibility of sustainable packaging solutions and meet its goal of sourcing 100% of guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025.
The circular clear cups are designed to look and feel like the traditional McDonald's cups customers are familiar with. However, the new cups offer enhanced recyclability and sustainability. Customers in Savannah, Georgia, can use these cups and then recycle them at home or in any recycling bin, contributing to the creation of more recycled materials.
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McDonald's is working to increase the accessibility of these cups nationwide
McDonald's has been testing a new type of drinking cup that moves away from fossil fuel petrochemical sources to a circular economy model. The new cups are made from a 50-50 mix of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and biopolymer resins, including the restaurant chain's own cooking oil, creating a closed-loop circular system.
The fast-food giant has been testing these cups in 28 select restaurants in Savannah, Georgia, where customers are instructed to rinse and recycle the cups at home or in any recycling bin. The test is one of many steps that will help McDonald's meet its goal of sourcing 100% of guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025.
The company has stated that these new circular clear cups are made to be nearly identical to their previous cups, so customers will not notice any difference. However, the new cups are sourced from recycled material, and the goal is that they can be recycled to create new material, keeping plastic in use and out of landfills.
In the UK, McDonald's has also introduced a scheme where customers can choose to pay slightly more for their hot drinks, which acts as a deposit for a reusable cup. The cup can be returned to a special bin, and the deposit is refunded. The cups are then sterilized and returned to stores for the next customer.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, McDonald's began testing a new type of clear drinking cup that uses advanced recycling and bioplastics. The cups are made from a 50-50 mix of recycled material and bio-based materials, including McDonald's used cooking oil. These cups are available in 28 select restaurants in Savannah, Georgia.
Yes, the new plastic cups are recyclable and can be recycled in any recycling bin. McDonald's is encouraging customers to rinse and recycle the cups after use to help create more recycled materials.
The new plastic cups are part of McDonald's goal to source 100% of guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025. The company also plans to increase the accessibility of these cups nationwide.
