Omar Khalid
McDonald's has been working to improve the sustainability of its packaging. The company has set a goal of sourcing 100% of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by 2025. To achieve this, McDonald's is exploring various innovations, such as using recycled and bio-based materials, including cooking oil, to create a closed-loop circular system. The company is also focusing on reducing virgin fossil fuel-based plastics and increasing the accessibility of recycled materials. While some people have criticised McDonald's for switching from paper to plastic cups, McDonald's assures that their new plastic cups are easily recyclable and, in some cases, biodegradable. The company is also working to increase the accessibility of recycling options for its packaging, with more than 88.3% of restaurants in advanced infrastructure markets offering guests the opportunity to recycle and/or compost packaging items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cup | Clear plastic cup |
| Recyclable | Yes |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Material | Hybrid polypropylene |
| Composition | 50% post-consumer recycled content and 50% biopolymer resins |
| Biopolymer resins source | McDonald's used cooking oil |
| Certification | ISCC Plus |
| Certification body | INEOS |
| Certification process | Mass-balance methodology |
| McDonald's goal | Source 100% of primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by 2025 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- McDonald's plastic cups are recyclable
- McDonald's is testing circular clear cups
- The cups are sourced from recycled and biobased materials
- The company aims to source 100% of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by 2025
- McDonald's is working to increase the accessibility of this material nationwide
McDonald's plastic cups are recyclable
McDonald's has also been testing a new type of clear drinking cup that moves away from fossil fuel-based plastics to a circular economy model. These cups are made from a 50-50 mix of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and biopolymer resins, the latter of which includes collecting and reusing the restaurant's own cooking oil to create a closed-loop system.
The company is using a mass balance method to measure and track recycled and bio-based inputs, which also mixes traditional fossil fuel sources. This process is certified by ISCC Plus, an independent multi-stakeholder organization that provides a global certification system for the sustainability of raw materials and products.
In some locations, such as Savannah, it is as simple as rinsing and recycling the cup after use at home or in any recycling bin. However, it is important to note that the recyclability of plastic cups can vary depending on the region and the type and color of plastic. For example, black-colored plastic is usually not recycled.
McDonald's is also exploring other innovations to increase plastics recyclability, such as molded fiber, starch-based cups, and mineral coatings for fiber. They are committed to ensuring that all primary guest packaging is free from added fluorinated compounds by the end of 2025.
Creative Ways to Recycle Old Plastic Pens and Pencils
You may want to see also
Explore related products
McDonald's is testing circular clear cups
McDonald's is testing a new type of clear 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 recycled material and biobased materials, including McDonald's used cooking oil. The test cups are currently available in 28 select restaurants in Savannah, Georgia.
The circular clear cups are intended to be nearly identical to the McDonald's cups customers have been using. According to McDonald's, consumers "probably won't notice any difference between the two, but behind the scenes, there's plenty to get excited about." The cups will look and feel the same, but the company is using a mass balance method to measure and track recycled and biobased inputs being used in a process that also mixes traditional fossil fuel sources.
The advanced recycling process converts waste plastic back into its raw materials for use in next-generation plastic production. This process is certified by ISCC Plus through its mass-balance attribution method, which allows certified entities to measure and track recycled inputs that are combined with traditional fossil fuel sources.
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 is also working to increase the accessibility of this material nationwide.
In Savannah, customers can rinse and recycle the cup after use at home or in any recycling bin.
Recycling Reality Check: US Plastic Waste Management
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The cups are sourced from recycled and biobased materials
McDonald's has been testing a new type of drinking cup that is more environmentally friendly. The cups are sourced from recycled and biobased materials, including a 50-50 mix of post-consumer recycled content and biopolymer resins. This means that half of the material used to make the cups is recycled plastic, while the other half is derived from biomass, such as plants. Notably, McDonald's also plans to use its used cooking oil to create a closed-loop circular system.
The company refers to this dual blend as a "power couple" of sustainability. The test cups are part of McDonald's goal to source 100% of its guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025. This initiative is a step towards a more sustainable and circular packaging model, moving away from fossil fuel petrochemical sources.
The mass balance method is used to measure and track the recycled and biobased inputs in the cup's production. This process also mixes traditional fossil-fuel sources, allowing McDonald's to produce recyclable cups. The company is working with industry leaders such as Pactiv Evergreen, Neste, INEOS, and LyondellBasell to make this test possible and increase the accessibility of these materials.
The advanced recycling process converts waste plastic back into its raw materials for use in the next generation of plastic production. This process is certified by ISCC Plus, an independent multi-stakeholder organization that provides a globally applicable certification system for the sustainability of raw materials and products.
By trialling these cups, McDonald's, as one of the world's largest restaurant companies, is demonstrating its commitment to supporting the production of biobased and recycled materials. This sends a signal to the industry and helps create a more sustainable future for packaging materials.
Cellophane Wrapping: Recyclable Plastic or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The company aims to source 100% of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by 2025
McDonald's has set itself an ambitious goal of sourcing 100% of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by the end of 2025. This target is part of the company's broader strategy to help keep communities clean, protect the planet for future generations, and enhance its long-term business resilience. To achieve this, McDonald's is evolving its packaging by redesigning some of its most iconic products to eliminate unnecessary packaging, identifying alternative materials, and increasing opportunities for recovery.
The company is also working with suppliers to optimize its packaging for recycling and encouraging them to innovate in support of this goal. This includes establishing commodity requirements for both fiber and plastic packaging and maintaining a supplier management process that includes sustainability evaluations. McDonald's is committed to sourcing materials responsibly and helping suppliers advance new technologies.
To further reduce the use of single-use plastic packaging, McDonald's plans to set a time-bound goal by the end of 2022 to minimize single-use packaging for a certain volume of beverages. This can be achieved through strategies such as using reusable and refillable bottles or containers. Additionally, McDonald's is exploring innovations to increase plastics recyclability, demand for recycled plastics, and the promotion of plastic alternatives. For instance, the company is testing a new type of clear drinking cup made from 50% post-consumer recycled content and 50% biopolymer resins, including recycled cooking oil from its restaurants.
By the end of 2023, McDonald's had already achieved approximately 86.7% of its goal, with 50% of customer packaging coming from renewable, recycled, or certified sources. The company has also made significant progress in reducing virgin fossil fuel-based plastic in Happy Meal toys, with a 63.7% reduction from 2018 to 2023. McDonald's is committed to drastically reducing plastics in Happy Meal toys globally and transitioning to more sustainable materials by the end of 2025.
How Eco-Friendly Are Plastic Eggs?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
McDonald's is working to increase the accessibility of this material nationwide
McDonald's is committed to taking steps to help reduce waste and advance a circular economy. The company is working to increase the accessibility of recycled and renewable materials nationwide. This includes a focus on using recycled materials for paper bags, napkins, and cup carriers, as well as exploring alternatives to plastic, such as molded fiber, starch-based cups, and mineral coatings for fiber.
In addition, McDonald's is testing a new type of clear drinking cup that moves away from fossil fuel-based plastics to a more sustainable model. These cups will be made from a combination of 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and 50% biopolymer resins, with the latter including recycled cooking oil from the restaurants. This "power couple" of sustainability is being measured and tracked using a mass balance method, which also mixes traditional fossil fuel sources.
The company is also investing in strategies and collaborating with other stakeholders to address challenges related to recycling infrastructure and the demand for recycled materials. By the end of 2023, McDonald's was approximately 86.7% of the way toward its goal of sourcing 100% of its primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified materials by 2025.
Furthermore, McDonald's is committed to ensuring that all primary guest packaging is free from added fluorinated compounds by the end of 2025. The company believes that the greatest opportunity to address packaging-related waste is to advance safe and proven solutions, such as reduction and recycling, while also upholding hygiene, safety, and functionality for its customers.
Challenges of Plastic Recycling: Overcoming Obstacles for a Greener Future
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
McDonald's plastic cups are easily recyclable and biodegradable. You can recycle them at home or in any recycling bin.
McDonald's plastic cups are made from a mix of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and biopolymer resins. The PCR content includes used cooking oil from the restaurant chain.
Yes, McDonald's plastic cups are better for the environment than the paper cups they used before. Paper cups have a wax or plastic lining that can only be recycled at a special facility, whereas plastic cups can be fully recycled.
