US-based donut company Dunkin' Donuts has unveiled plans to stop using all polystyrene foam cups across its global supply chain by 2020.
From spring this year, the firm will use a new double-walled paper cup in place of foam cup in all of its restaurants in New York City and California.
The company is already using new double-walled paper cup at its next generation concept store in Quincy, Massachusetts.
The move is part of the company's commitment to use fiber-based consumer-facing packaging certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard.
The double-walled paper cup, which features re-closable lid, is available in four sizes such as small, medium, large and extra-large.
Dunkin' Donuts will use the double-walled paper cup for all of its hot beverages such as coffee, lattes, macchiatos, tea and hot chocolate.
The firm has been using a four-cup carrier made of recycled newsprint since 2005, while transitioned to napkins made with recycled paper and added recycled content to espresso sleeves, cup carriers and Box O' Joe.
Dunkin' Donuts has been using bagel bags made with recycled paper since 2014. It also started transition of the lids for cold beverage cups from PET to recyclable polypropylene from 2015.
Dunkin' Brands chief communications and sustainability officer Karen Raskopf said: "With more than 9,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the U.S. alone, our decision to eliminate foam cups is significant for both our brand and our industry.
“We have a responsibility to improve our packaging, making it better for the planet while still meeting the needs of our guests.”
Earlier this year, the firm launched donuts without artificial dyes in the US, as part of its efforts to offer cleaner menu labels.
Image: A Dunkin' Donuts truck distributing free cold drinks. Photo: courtesy of Tianliu.