McDonald’s: no more foam cups in US outlets

United States – Fast-food giant McDonald’s will replace all polystyrene beverage cups with paper alternatives at its 14 000 outlets throughout the USA. The move was initiated by As You Sow, a non-profit foundation promoting environmental and corporate social responsibility through shareholder advocacy.

In 2012, McDonald’s agreed to test the replacement of its foam cups with a double-walled paper hot cup at approximately 2000 restaurants, primarily on the US West Coast. The company deemed the pilot scheme to be a success and the paper cup will now become its standard hot beverage container.

Conrad MacKerron, senior vice president of As You Sow, comments: ‘We congratulate McDonald’s on its decision to stop using foam beverage cups, which will reduce the threat of plastic pollution to the world’s oceans and provide a more recyclable, valuable alternative in paper fibre.’

For more information, visit: www.asyousow.org