McDonald’s China Upgrades to Greener Food Packaging Across the Country

 Driven by China’s national policies to reduce plastic pollution and support carbon reduction goals, McDonald’s China has announced a major upgrade to its food packaging. More than 7,500 restaurants nationwide will gradually switch to new bio-based packaging, taking practical steps to reduce plastic use at the source.

The key change is replacing traditional packaging materials with PLA (polylactic acid) bio-based materials and paper. The new packaging will be used for products such as McCafé drinks, beverages, ice cream, corn, and porridge. Cup lids are made from PLA, while cup bodies are changing from petroleum-based plastic to paper. This upgrade is expected to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastic by over 5,800 tons each year, helping move packaging toward renewable materials.

The new packaging is designed to be both environmentally friendly and safe for consumers. Improved lid structures help prevent leaks, while the PLA formula for hot drink lids has been enhanced for better strength and heat resistance. All packaging has passed independent third-party testing and meets China’s national food safety standards. This large-scale use of bio-based packaging also marks a first for McDonald’s globally.

“We hope that through our own actions, we can work together with industry partners to promote sustainable development in the food service sector, so that every meal carries a positive impact,” said Gu Lei, Chief Impact Officer of McDonald’s China.

Weng Yunxuan, Executive Dean of the School of Light Industry Science and Engineering at Beijing Technology and Business University, noted that PLA is a strategic new material in China. Its large-scale use supports the country’s carbon goals and sustainable development plans, and McDonald’s efforts are an important step for both the bio-based materials industry and the green transformation of the restaurant sector.

 source:zqrb.cn