McDonald’s sets new packaging and recycling goals

Foodservice retailer McDonald’s said by 2025, it plans to use packaging that come from renewable, recycled or certified sources.

The company announced goals to enhance its packaging and help reduce waste to positively impact the communities the company serves around the world.  

McDonald’s is planning to use guest packaging coming from renewable, recycled or certified sources with a preference for Forest Stewardship Council certification.

The company  also intends to recycle guest packaging in its restaurants during the similar period, helping to reduce waste.

According to McDonald’s, the recycling infrastructure, regulations and consumer behaviors differ from city to city and country to country.

By 2020, McDonald’s is planning to use all of its fiber-based packaging produced from recycled or certified sources.

To implement its strategy, McDonald’s will collaborate with industry experts, local governments and environmental association for improving packaging and recycling practices.

McDonald’s, along with its partners, will develop smart packaging designs, implement new recycling programs, as well as create new measurement programs and educate restaurant crew and customers.

In 2014, the company joined WWF’s Global Forest & Trade Network program to reach its fiber sourcing targets, including FSC preference for packaging made from wood fiber.

McDonald’s chief supply chain and sustainability officer Francesca DeBiase said: “Our customers have told us that packaging waste is the top environmental issue they would like us to address.

“Our ambition is to make changes our customers want and to use less packaging, sourced responsibly and designed to be taken care of after use, working at and beyond our restaurants to increase recycling and help create cleaner communities.”

Forest Stewardship Council director general Kim Carstensen said: “McDonald’s global preference for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified materials demonstrates their far-reaching commitment to source packaging that benefits people and forests around the world.”