Such a decision the company took at the request of customers, said a representative of McDonald’s. While the changes will affect only the UK and Ireland, where there are more than 1,300 restaurants in the network.
To replace plastic straws McDonald’s will begin in September, and to complete the process of planning by the end of 2019. The paper straws will be produced mainly in Northern Ireland and Wales.
The company’s press release says that an alternative to plastic straws is already being tested in Belgium, plans for this year include individual restaurants in the US, France, Sweden, Norway and Australia. In several markets, including Malaysia, McDonald’s will try to give pipes only at the request of buyers.
Every day in the UK alone, 1.8 million straws a day are used. The plastic from which they are made is decomposed in nature for hundreds of years. Straws can be recycled, but for the most part they are in the sewer and the world’s oceans, causing serious harm to marine life.
Back in April, the United Kingdom authorities announced their intention to ban straws for cocktails, ear wands and other disposable plastic goods in the country. Some British companies, including Waitrose supermarket chain, Costa Coffee and Pizza Express pizzeria, also announced plans to abandon plastic.