McDonald's new modern packaging focuses on environmental impact

McDonald's new modern packaging focuses on environmental impact. Image: Newsweek

"McDonald’s® uses an internal global scorecard tool called the Eco-Filter to help us make packaging decisions while keeping the environment in mind. Over time, we have made changes to reduce the amount of our packaging and increase our use of recycled materials".

McDonald’s worked with packaging supplier HAVI Global Solutions to transition to a plastic material called Clarified Polypropylene (CPP) for McCafé® beverage cups, delivering environmental benefits while maintaining performance. The CPP package delivers the same consumer experience while using 20% less material compared to polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

"We phased out the coating on our food packaging that could produce perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), a chemical shown to persist in the environment".

Wood Fibre
Wood fibre is used in the creation of our consumer packaging, from sandwich wraps and fry boxes to takeout bags and tray liners.

"McDonald’s works with suppliers to ensure that wood fibre used in our supply chain originates from legal and acceptable sources. We will not knowingly purchase from suppliers that source otherwise. We also give preference to the purchase of wood fibre that has earned credible third-party certification. In Canada, we have achieved 100% purchasing from legal and acceptable sources and nearly 15% purchasing from certified sources".

Our Standards
McDonald’s has established standards for wood fibre sourcing and holds suppliers accountable to meeting these. Acceptable categories of wood fibre sources include those that are:

• Not obtained from land that has been converted to plantation or other land uses after November 1994 (per Forest Steward Council)
• Not sourced from areas included in an official planning process for designation as protected
• Not sourced from species listed under International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulations
• Conforming with international trade sanctions

Legal logging occurs when timber is harvested, transported, processed, bought and sold in compliance with national or sub-national laws.

"McDonald’s (through our packaging supplier HAVI Global Solutions) is an integral member of several multi-stakeholder collaborations such as the Sustainable Packaging Coalition".

Source McDonald's