Globally, McDonald's has achieved over 80% of its target to have 100% of primary packaging used in restaurants sourced from renewable, recycled, or certified materials, as part of its commitment to a circular economy and net-zero emissions by 2050.
On the occasion of Global Recycling Day, celebrated internationally on March 18, Premier Capital plc, McDonald's development partner for restaurants, reaffirms its commitment to a circular economy in six countries: Malta, Romania, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
McDonald's is achieving its global goals through a variety of strategies, including eliminating unnecessary packaging, phasing out virgin fossil fuel-based plastics, increasing the use of recycled materials, simplifying recycling for customers, and strategic partnerships with other organizations sharing the same mission. Since 2018,
McDonald's has halved the use of plastic in Happy Meal toys worldwide, and other initiatives have included switching to paper straws, eliminating plastic lids for certain products, and introducing salad boxes and utensils made from renewable fibers.
In Romania, the company continues its commitment to waste management by introducing special sorting bins for packaging on terraces and in lobby areas. Additionally, the company encourages sustainable practices by implementing various recycling initiatives and continuously increasing awareness among both customers and employees.
Between 2021 and 2022, the company introduced several sustainable packaging materials, including paper straws, cardboard packaging for ice cream, cardboard boxes for salads, and wooden utensils, significantly contributing to reducing plastic waste. At the local level, McDonald's in Romania has reached a 95% usage rate of packaging made from renewable, recycled, or certified materials.
McDonald's aims to implement further actions locally by the end of 2025, including replacing plastic lids for hot and cold beverages with fiber ones, eliminating plastic for McSundae product packaging, and converting to RPET (recycled plastic) for McCafé plastic cups, as well as introducing improved packaging for salads and wraps.
