McDonald’s has pledged to make all of its packaging environmentally sustainable by 2025.
The fast food giant will slash waste by only using renewable, recycled or certified sources, and recycle packaging across all of its stores by 2025.
This consolidates on a pre-existing pledge to source 100% of its fibre-based packaging from recycled or certified sources where no deforestation occurs.
“As the world’s largest restaurant company, we have a responsibility to use our scale for good to make changes that will have a meaningful impact across the globe,” said McDonald’s chief supply chain and sustainability officer Francesca DeBiase.
“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.”
McDonald’s plans to collaborate with leading industry experts, local governments and environmental associations to tackle this target.
The chain will look to improve packaging designs, introduce new recycling programmes and waste measurement programmes, as well as inform customers and restaurant staff alike on the best ways to reduce waste.
“Smarter waste management begins with improved sourcing, increased value chain collaboration and better communication with customers. Today’s announcement demonstrates McDonald’s strong leadership in developing packaging and recycling solutions at a scale that can extend the life of our natural resources and push its industry toward more sustainable practices,” added WWF senior vice president for private sector engagement Sheila Bonini.
To date, only 50% of McDonald’s packaging comes from renewable, recycled or certified sources, while 64% of fibre-based packaging comes from certified or recycled sources. A mere 10% of McDonald’s restaurants globally currently recycle customer packaging.
No comments yet