McDonald’s is replacing plastic cutlery with paper-based versions as part of its target to ensure all its customer packaging is made from renewable, recycled, or certified sources and is fully recyclable and compostable by 2024.
The fast food giant estimates the switch will eliminate 858 metric tonnes of plastic annually across the UK.
The new cutlery – which includes the popular McFlurry spoon – will be made from renewable, FSC certified pressed-paper and will be fully recyclable and compostable.
It will be gradually introduced in restaurants in England and Wales, as McDonald’s phases out its existing plastic products first, and follows a successful switch in sites in Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland in the first half of the year.
McDonald’s has already introduced paper-based straws, new McFlurry cups without plastic lids and developed salad boxes made from card – saving 1,858 metric tonnes of plastic to date.
Nina Prichard, head of sustainable and ethical sourcing at McDonald’s, said: “As a business, we’re committed to taking action on packaging and waste and increasing our use of sustainable materials. We’re pleased to announce another step forward in eliminating single-use plastics and it’s great to be switching our famous McFlurry spoons to this new paper-based material.”
