The Complex Reality of Reusable Packaging in Europe
At McDonald’s, we use a wide range of guest packaging and believe that hygiene, food safety, quality, functionality and sustainability are critical aspects to packaging design. We strive to accelerate solutions that reduce packaging waste, transition to more sustainable packaging materials, move away from virgin fossil fuel based plastics and promote circularity. As of year-end 2024, 90.93% of our global primary guest packaging (95.2% in Europe) was sourced from renewable, recycled or certified materials.
Recognizing that reducing the use of plastic and substituting plastic with certified or recycled paper are two of the key interventions to address
plastic pollution, we are removing or reducing plastic use by redesigning packaging items. For example, we have partnered with our suppliers
to advance technologies to replace plastic lids and sundae ice cream cups with innovative fiber solutions. Most of McDonald’s primary guest packaging is fiber-based (82% globally and 96% in Europe as of year-end. Read the full report at the link